Charles can reign

Sensational Piutau will make Ulster great again, insists hero Ring land

TREVOR Ringland has backed new boy Charles Piutau to catapult Ulster to European glory.

The Kiwi full-back, who sparkled in his side’s pre-season win over Northampton Saints last week, will make his competitive debut for the province on Friday when their PRO12 campaign kicks-off against Dragons.

Ulster legend Ringland feels the 24- year- old can help Les Kiss’ men earn a cherished place among Europe’s elite.

“It wasn’t that long ago that you had Ulster, Munster and Leinster all competing for the top honours in Europe,” said former British and Irish Lion Ringland ( right).

“Piutau is the type of player you need to get you back there.”

He added: “It’s exactly what you want to see, someone who is a real game changer.

“Someone like him adds a real excitement t and enjoy-enjoyment for the fans ans and it’s great for the PRO 12O 12 in general as well.

“It’s been disappointingappointing for Ulster in re-ecent years, com--ing so close but not winning anything. He’s the type of player who could push you over the edge.”

Ringland was part of the Ulster sides of the 1980s that swept aside all before them in the interprovincial p championshipship and beat Australia at Ra Ravenhill.

A Along with Keith Cros Crossan and Philip Raine Rainey, he formed a devastating back-three but thinks this current crop could be their rival.

P Piutau ( right) has joined joi the likes of Irish Ir international quartet qu Jared Payne, Andrew Trimble, Craig Gilroy and Tommy Bowe at the Kingspan.

“That’s what we all want to see from this group,” he added.

“The thing with bringing in Piutau is that it gives you such depth when you look at the players already there.

“That competition will make everyone better.”