Following impressive away wins against Leinster (49-41) and Connacht (30-0), the Ulster side are in a commanding position. A victory at home this Saturday in Dromore would see them lift the coveted trophy for a second consecutive year.
Head Coach Damian Campbell has guided his side through a demanding but ultimately rewarding journey so far, expressing immense pride in his squad's achievements. "This campaign has been incredibly rewarding but equally demanding," Campbell stated. "Securing two bonus points from two very tough away fixtures is a fantastic achievement, but it hasn’t come easily. It’s the culmination of over two months of hard preparation and an enormous amount of dedication from the players, many of whom are coming off the back of a long and physically demanding season."
The professionalism and commitment shown by the players, particularly in navigating challenging away trips to Leinster at Gorey RFC and Connacht in Castlebar, has been a source of immense pride for the coaching staff. "The effort the players have put in, both on and off the field, has been outstanding. They’ve truly earned the position they now find themselves in."
"The standard of rugby on display has been top-class, especially in our opening match against Leinster where the scoreline was a reflection of the high skill level and intensity both sides brought to the contest."
For Campbell, the standout moment so far was that very first victory. "The highlight of the campaign so far has to be winning our opening fixture against Leinster at Gorey RFC. It was always going to be an extremely tough challenge, Leinster away is one of the hardest places to go, and to come away with a bonus point win was a massive result for us. It really set the tone for the campaign." In the first round, Ulster held off the boys in blue in a high-scoring contest, 49-41.
Those two crucial wins have undoubtedly bolstered the team's morale. "Getting two wins on the road has certainly given us a boost," Campbell acknowledged. "It brings confidence to the group and reaffirms what we’ve known all along; we have a talented and committed group of players who are capable of delivering when it matters."
However, there's no danger of complacency creeping in as they prepare to face a formidable Munster side. Munster currently sit second in the Championship table, having defeated Connacht in the first round, and narrowly missing out to Leinster last weekend, picking up a losing bonus point. "One thing we’ve been very clear about is taking each game as it comes," the Head Coach stressed. "We fully understand the challenge that comes with facing any Munster team, and we absolutely won’t be underestimating the task ahead. To get the result we need, we know we’ll have to be at the very top of our game."
The significance of potentially securing successive titles is not lost on Campbell or his team, though their focus remains firmly on the immediate task. "It’s very difficult to win an Interprovincial Series once, never mind back-to-back, and we’re under no illusions about the challenge that poses," he said. "While several of the players in this year’s squad were involved last year, we also have a strong group of new caps, which makes this campaign very much its own journey. We haven’t spent much time dwelling on last year; our complete focus has been on this season and this group."
The infusion of new talent has been a significant positive, with many players earning new caps. "This year, we’ve been able to give new caps to 15 players, which is incredible and a real testament to the depth and talent across the province," Campbell explained. "What’s been most pleasing is how seamlessly those new players have integrated into the squad and stepped up when called upon."
“Without singling anyone out too much, it’s been particularly rewarding to see players like Jonny Hunter and Michael Orr performing so well in this series. Both have come through serious injuries with their respective clubs earlier in the season, and to see them back on the pitch and contributing at such a high level has been brilliant.”
“At the end of the day, whether it’s your first cap or your twentieth, it really doesn’t matter to us, everyone has a key role to play. A perfect example of that is our opening match away to Leinster. Unfortunately, our experienced scrum-half, Ryan Flavelle, sustained a dislocated shoulder, which was a big blow, given the number of caps he’s earned with Ulster Juniors over the years and his experience as captain at club level. Drew Fleck from Portadown was drafted in for his first cap, against Connacht, and delivered a man-of-the-match performance on debut. That kind of response shows the strength of character within this group.”
As Ulster prepares for their home finale, the message from the coaching team is clear: stay focused, embrace the challenge, and perform to the standards they've set. "For me personally, winning an Interprovincial Series would be something I’d be immensely proud of but I’ve also always known it’s only possible through hard work, commitment, and belief from everyone involved," Campbell concluded. "We’ll give it everything, and we’ll do it together. As coaches, we couldn’t be prouder of all the players, whether seasoned or new. They’ve all played their part in driving this campaign forward, and that unity and belief in one another has been key to everything we’ve achieved so far."