STORM DWAYNE
HURRICANE paced Craig Gilroy has credited Dwayne Peel with blowing away his cobwebs ahead of tonight’s Guinness PRO14 shootout with Connacht.
Gilroy, who starts on the right wing in Galway, has been explosive since returning from a troublesome back injury seven weeks ago.
The 10-times capped
Ireland wing touched down for his third try in five games in
Friday’s crucial
European win over Harlequins at the Kingspan Stadium.
And he’s relishing the free licence given to him by former Lions scrum-half Peel, who was appointed assistant coach in the summer, to torment opposing defences.
“Someone like Dwayne fills me with so much confidence,” said Gilroy. “He’s always telling me to get the ball in my hands. He says, ‘With your speed, get your hands on the ball and just go’. I don’t think he realises just how much he fills me with confidence. I feel great and I’m really enjoying it at the minute.”
Gilroy marked his 150th appearance on his return to action in a dramatic 43-36 win over the Southern Kings in early November.
“It was tough doing a lot of lonely rehab and training,” he said. “Even in the Kings game, I was back healthy but I hadn’t played in ages so that was a tester. But once it came after the break – Treviso here and the Dragons – I felt really good and really sharp.”
Against Quins in Belfast last week, Gilroy shone in a potent back three alongside Charles Piutau – who misses out this week with a leg injury – and rising star Jacob Stockdale.
All three contributed 34 carries for 312 yards while both Gilroy and Piutau touched down for tries. “It was great,” said Gilroy. “I much prefer to run with the ball. I have a good running game and attacking style and with Jacob and Charles there it’s great. With both those guys you’re going to get opportunities to run off them or attack. It’s exciting.”
After back-to-back wins over Harlequins, Ulster are eager to inject momentum into the PRO14.
Gilroy said: “It’s been a great two weeks and we’re in a great place but it’s important not to dwell on that as it’s a different competition now and different opposition.
“It’s very easy to pat yourself on the back and say the job’s done when there’s still a lot more of the season to be played.”