McCloskey – ‘Sometimes you have to win ugly’

Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey says Ulster need to learn how to win ugly ahead of their crucial PRO12 clash with Ospreys on Saturday.

Anything but a win for Ulster today in what is ultimately a play-ff decider will consign the men from Belfast to fifth position.

This will ensure they miss out on a coveted play-off spot and subsequently a chance of lifting the cup.

And McCloskey is not mincing his words saying the entire season rests on Saturday’s game at the Liberty Stadium.

“The season would have to be viewed as a disappointment if we don’t get into the top four,” the 24-year-old told the Belfast Telegraph.

“I think there’s too much quality here for us to be missing out on the top four.

“There’s a lot of pressure and guys want to do well. We have put a lot of hard work in this year and we do not want that to go for nothing.

“We put in a good performance against Munster last time but didn’t come away with the result and if we do that this week then it’s over.

“We need the performance and the result. Everyone here knows that.

“There is emotion to that but you have to keep it under check.”

Meanwhile, McCloskey admits that they have not have been good enough this year and need to be more ruthless in closing out matches if they are to improve on their league position next year.

“We need to be better throughout the whole year to avoid being in this position,” said McCloskey.

“We know as a squad that we do have the quality there, we’ve shown that with the performances like the ones against Clermont.

“It’s frustrating. Nobody plays well every week but sometimes it feels like if we don’t put in a performance we don’t win. Sometimes you have to win ugly.

“We’re still quite young as a squad and we have to keep learning how to do that.

“It’s something you expect from teams like Saracens.

“You watch them so many times and are left thinking, ‘how did they win that game?’

“That comes with experience. We need to start doing it to keep doing it.

“Munster are the prime example, nobody expected what they are doing this year after last season but they got on a roll and kept going.”