Ulster can be on cloud nine, insists Best
RORY Best has called on Ulster to meet the challenge head-on of having to now play every week until the end of January.
Nine games on the bounce lie ahead for Ulster in what is a pivotal part of their season, in both Europe and the PRO14, and their skipper wants the province to dig-in and do the business.
Best is also expected to be back in the Ulster squad for tomorrow’s PRO14 home game with the Cardiff Blues — as is scrum-half John Cooney — and will make a welcome return to the Kingspan after leading Ireland to this month’s historic first win on home soil over New Zealand.
The 36-year-old is keen to replicate Ireland’s stellar form when back on provincial duty as head coach Dan McFarland’s side get ready for two season-defining European weekends following the Blues game when they meet the Scarlets in the head-to-head clashes.
“For us it’s all going to be a massive challenge, but it’s one where we’ll roll the sleeves up and one that we’ll look forward to,” he said.
“It was a tough game against the Scarlets last week (Best was not part of the squad) but that has kicked off a really busy period for us.”
“We have Cardiff this weekend and back-to-back European games and then Christmas time is always really, really hectic,” added Best, who has played four previous times for the province this season and was sidelined at the start of the campaign with a hamstring issue.
Reflecting on a memorable November in green when he also received an OBE, Best said: “The last month has been pretty special.
“Coming off (the win over) Argentina felt like a bit of a loss for us, but then to flip that round a week later and put in the sort of performance we did against New Zealand was incredibly special.
“It was a great day and one that will live long in the memory,” he said.
“Another little bit of history created by beating New Zealand for the first time on home soil,” added Best, who also led Ireland to their first ever victory over the All Blacks two years ago in Chicago.
“Then three or four days later to go across to the Palace and pick up an OBE, it rounded off not a bad few weeks.”
And turning to Ulster’s fixture list again, the long-serving hooker also made a plea for the province’s supporters to turn out in force to cheer McFarland’s squad on as they aim to go on a bit of a run.
“Hopefully for all those home games along the way we can get as many people out here as we can because it does, though it is a little bit clichéd, make a massive difference to us,” he said.
“Moments when your backs are against the wall, that extra few bums on seats can make a big difference to us and our performance.”