The key difference in the Ulster camp that is helping the team evolve

Ulster skipper Iain Henderson believes the growing experience within the side has allowed them to have a better chance of winning tight games.

The side has just come out of a three-game losing streak as they edged out Irish rivals Connacht 20-19 last time out even though it was not a perfect performance.

Growing players

Henderson feels that’s an encouraging sign for Ulster and highlighted how some players in the squad have grown in experience despite still being young.

“That was a dangerous Connacht team with their backs against the walls so we’re delighted to get the win,” said Henderson. “And we know by no means that was a perfect performance but to be able to see out a win and hold on to that leading into another big interpro will give the guys a couple of days break’ which they will be able to enjoy.

“I think it is something that a lot of players kind of learn as they get older from what was turning in from a young team a few seasons ago, the likes of James Hume and Michael Lowry have been around for a while and yes they are still young in terms of looking at the year they were born in but they are becoming more and more experienced.

“Nick Timoney, for example…they are becoming more experienced and understanding in what it takes and what it means to be able to see out these games. It is good to see and, hopefully, it will continue to be another part of their game that it will grow.”

Tap and go

One tactic that has worked for the side lately is opting for the tap penalty instead of kicking for the corner with Henderson revealing that the open environment in the club encouraged discussions about the idea.

“I had a chat about it to a couple of the guys…initially I thought it was a silly idea as they would just chop you, then we talked about it a bit more and we thought we could set it and try to make it work,” he said. “We’re not really sure how the refs are going to try and ref it so we’ll see. You see teams getting penalties and kicking to the corner and that’s where the idea came from.

“Why would you kick to the corner and have to get your lineout right, your jumps and your lifts right, have them contest it and be in the air for them to try to defend the maul or just tap it and go and that is where it kind of stemmed from.

“That all stems from enjoying it, having a bit of craic and having open discussions…it is exciting to be part of an environment that allows you to do that.”

Next up for Ulster is a tough battle against Leinster on New Year’s day and Henderson is expecting a difficult challenge.

“Interpros always end up being feisty, especially coming into Europe and Six Nations time and it is always a great time to be involved in them,” said Henderson. “The lads will be preparing and we’ll be getting ourselves prepped for a bit of niggle, not too dissimilar to what we saw against Connacht.”

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