I have much more to offer Ulster, says Kane

THREE boxes ticked in less than a month and yet all three come with certain caveats.

A new deal at Ulster, a 50th cap and a place in the starting side against the Dragons have each been significant moments for tighthead prop Ross Kane.

And yet. The 26-year-old’s contract extension is just for a year, his half-century of appearances was racked up well into his fifth season at Kingspan Stadium, while the No.3 shirt in Cardiff last week was the first time he had sported such a low figure on his back since 2019.

It’s been a tough gig for the Schools’ Cup-winning captain from 2013 — when he hoisted the trophy for Methodist College — whose busiest season professionally, so far, was two campaigns ago when he played 16 times for the senior team and had six starts under his belt.

A combination of injuries, Marty Moore’s arrival and durability, plus the rise of Tom O’toole have meant that game time has been heavily rationed for Kane, who has had no option but to bide his time and simply wait for an opportunity.

“With the contract extension it’s been a nice few weeks but, again, it’s just small things in the long-term goal to try and be playing as much as I can and keep pushing forward,” he said.

“Every week I have the aim to try and get involved in the team and play as much as I can.

“There is a lot of competition in the tighthead spot and everyone seems to be very robust with no real issues there, so it’s a credit to everyone there and pushes all of us forward.

“So I’ve just got to try and do as well as I can to try and get my foot in the door.”

Another issue has been match sharpness.

With club rugby having been shut down and the professional players remaining in the Ulster bubble, even when the Energia League did come back for a period last autumn, it has mostly been about the occasional Ulster ‘A’ game to rack up minutes on the pitch.

“I think we’re lucky to be playing any rugby at all, so it’s been good in a sense, but a bit frustrating as well,” he said.

“But with a couple of ‘A’ games thrown in, it’s enough rugby to keep the fitness up and work towards getting back into the squad.”

The rare start against the Dragons in the cavernous Principality Stadium was only the fourth time Kane has got himself involved in the match day 23 this season and, therefore, was to be cherished.

“It’s always great to get a bit of game time,” he added of his 54 minutes at Welsh rugby’s HQ.

“Last week and in the Ospreys game as well (late last month when he won his 50th cap off the bench), but as you know there’s a bit of competition, but that’s always good.

“When I get an opportunity I’ll take it.”

With O’toole released by Ireland due to injury and therefore seemingly ruled out of tomorrow evening’s home meeting with Zebre, Kane might be back in the 23 again unless Dan Mcfarland goes for Moore and Gareth Milasinovich as his tightheads for Ulster’s final Guinness PRO14 game of the season.

“I’m still 26, I’ve still a lot to give,” Kane made clear.

“It’s the same every week, everyone puts their best forward during the week (and then) selection is selection.

“I’ve still the hunger and desire to keep adding to the team and take my chances when they come.”

And there could be more opportunities either through next month’s last-16 knockout Challenge Cup clash at Harlequins or, perhaps more likely, the Rainbow Cup should it prove to be a definite runner between April and June.

“The Rainbow Cup is something we’re looking forward to and (we’re) taking it as it is in that it’s going ahead and something we’re aiming for and focusing well on,” was the prop’s take on the new competition which was first unveiled at Christmas but could still be in doubt due to the pandemic.

“From my own personal point of view it will just be trying to add where I can and to get a bit of game time.”

All that is for later, though, as Kane has another box to try and tick: game time for the season’s last evening of PRO14 work.