Ulster need to bring the same energy they showed in their dramatic draw against Glasgow when Munster visit Belfast on Saturday evening says defence coach Willie Faloon.
Juarno Augustus’s converted try ensured Ulster didn’t open their URC season with back-to-back to defeats to Scottish oppositions.
Following their opening day home defeat to Edinburgh, there were many more positives to take from their 33-33 draw against Glasgow in Scotsoun and Faloon is looking for a continuation of that this weekend against Munster.
“I think what we’ve got to do is, what we did in Glasgow, bring a lot of energy, a lot of intent around what we did, and I think that’ll really help us through” he said.
What will also help Ulster is the return of some of their big game players. Robert Baloucoune and Jacob Stockdale returned to training this week as well as Scott Wilson and all are in contention to feature.
Bryn Ward is ruled out with a knee injury while scrum half Matthew Devine will have a shoulder problem later in the week.
In any case, the game could see the return to Ireland international Nathan Doak at nine and Faloon feels he is one of a number of Ulstermen who will be relishing coming up against their international team-mates with next year’s World Cup in Australia already hoving into view.
“Yeah, absolutely, and a few guys back in for selection this week. Munster will have a few guys back in as well, but it’s a big inter-pro. Munster have come up the road and obviously they beat us last time out, so it’s going to be huge for us,” he said.
Ulster defence coach Willie Faloon. (Photo By Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images) (Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
“Those guys are competing for positions as well. The physicality is obviously up massively [for interpo games]. The stakes are higher. It’s always a big game, isn’t it?
“We always ask the players in a year like this, where it’s a World Cup year, how much that season is back in their mind.
“But we are focussing on this game as what it is, which is a big Interpro derby against Munster coming to Belfast. It’s going to be a huge night.”
One of the big names in line to return for Munster is Ireland’s talismanic lock Tadhg Beirne.
Ulster’s defence has shipped a combined 67 points in their first two games, which have also seen 27 turnovers coughed up.
Dealing with Beirne is one of the many challenges facing the northern province this weekend, so how do they approach it?
“He’s very good over the ball. Obviously, he’s going to be fresh having a couple of weeks off there, so we’re going to talk about him and try and negate him as best as possible.”
While they will look to build on those positives from the Glasgow, Ulster must also cope with the pressure of not having won a URC game at home since overcoming Cardiff at the end of Janaury.
They did enjoy Challenge Cup wins over Ospreys, La Rochelle and Exeter at the Affidea Stadium, but Faloon feels a win in the URC in front of their home fans is long overdue.
“I think [the home form] was down to a lot of problems. Obviously, there was a lot of the back end of last season. There was injuries towards the back end of it. It was a long season.
“We had a lot more games just from doing so well in and around the Challenge Cup.
“So I think there’s lots of factors. We obviously started well in the pre-season with two good results, but yeah, we didn’t get everything right in the Edinburgh game, obviously.