Sam Windsor, captain in Ulster's opening pre-season game against Leinster, says he is buoyed by the level of performance his teammates delivered against more experienced opposition.
Ulster were level 14-14 with 15 minutes of play remaining, but the introduction of Josh van der Flier, Fergus McFadden and Zane Kirchner helped Leinster produce a late rally, securing a 31-14 success.
Given that Ulster’s match day squad featured 10 Hughes Insurance Academy players and a raft of others uncapped at senior level, Windsor says there is plenty to be happy about in the display:
“We came out with a few goals, we wanted to be aggressive, intense, physical, and I think the whole squad bought into that. We made a lot of changes at half time but the boys slotted in seamlessly. Leinster took a couple of chances at the end - and fair play to them - but I don’t think the scoreline was a fair reflection of the game.
Conditions at Navan RFC were conducive to free-flowing rugby and the 29-year-old believes that suited this young Ulster side:
“The coaches gave us a license to go out and throw the ball about and that’s what we did. I think are skills are up to scratch as there wasn’t too many dropped balls. They are pretty pleased and I’m pleased with how the boys stood up and didn’t look out of place playing senior footy,” insisted Windsor.
It was a good outing on a personal note for Windsor, too, as he probed in attack from inside centre and made crucial tackles on more than one occasion. He admits he is more settled now after a full season with the Province under his belt:
“I struggled a bit with injuries and niggles last season so I didn’t quite get as much out of it as I would have liked. The first year at a new club is always tough but to come in for a second year and be familiar with the place and the calls as made it a bit easier.”
Next up for Les Kiss’ men is a trip to Sandy Park to play Exeter Chiefs next weekend, and Windsor is expecting another tough tie.
They have developed massively over the past five year and we’ve got them in Europe too, so it will be interesting,” said Windsor. “But there’s a great buzz within the club, the boys are up for it and I think we’re in for a good season.”
Ulster were level 14-14 with 15 minutes of play remaining, but the introduction of Josh van der Flier, Fergus McFadden and Zane Kirchner helped Leinster produce a late rally, securing a 31-14 success.
Given that Ulster’s match day squad featured 10 Hughes Insurance Academy players and a raft of others uncapped at senior level, Windsor says there is plenty to be happy about in the display:
“We came out with a few goals, we wanted to be aggressive, intense, physical, and I think the whole squad bought into that. We made a lot of changes at half time but the boys slotted in seamlessly. Leinster took a couple of chances at the end - and fair play to them - but I don’t think the scoreline was a fair reflection of the game.
Conditions at Navan RFC were conducive to free-flowing rugby and the 29-year-old believes that suited this young Ulster side:
“The coaches gave us a license to go out and throw the ball about and that’s what we did. I think are skills are up to scratch as there wasn’t too many dropped balls. They are pretty pleased and I’m pleased with how the boys stood up and didn’t look out of place playing senior footy,” insisted Windsor.
It was a good outing on a personal note for Windsor, too, as he probed in attack from inside centre and made crucial tackles on more than one occasion. He admits he is more settled now after a full season with the Province under his belt:
“I struggled a bit with injuries and niggles last season so I didn’t quite get as much out of it as I would have liked. The first year at a new club is always tough but to come in for a second year and be familiar with the place and the calls as made it a bit easier.”
Next up for Les Kiss’ men is a trip to Sandy Park to play Exeter Chiefs next weekend, and Windsor is expecting another tough tie.
They have developed massively over the past five year and we’ve got them in Europe too, so it will be interesting,” said Windsor. “But there’s a great buzz within the club, the boys are up for it and I think we’re in for a good season.”