‘WE WILL BARE TEETH AGAINST TOUGH TIGERS’
IRELAND winger Craig Gilroy believes the stage is set for Ulster to bounce back from their recent setbacks in the Guinness Pro14.
Dan Mcfarland’s men head into today’s Champions Cup opener with Leicester on the back of a three-game winless streak.
Last week’s 22-15 defeat to Connacht – who celebrated a first win in Belfast in 58 years – followed a 64-7 thrashing in Munster and a frantic 39-39 draw at the Cheetahs.
But while Ulster appear to be limping into today’s Pool 4 opener at the Kingspan Stadium, Gilroy insisted: “Our heads haven’t dropped at all.
“We still know what we’re about, we have a few guys back from injury and we know how good we can be. It’s just those small margins.
“It’s a new competition and clean slate for us to really make our mark. We’re at home and it’s a chance for us to put in a big performance.”
Gilroy holds fond memories of recent European showdowns with Leicester who have been drawn in the same pool as Ulster three times in the past seven years.
He touched down for a try in a 41-7 home win over the Tigers in 2011/12 en route to that season’s final and crossed the line in a 26-7 win in Belfast four years ago.
He said: “We’ve had some really good memories against Leicester here over the years and some of my fondest in an Ulster jersey, so it would be nice to have another this weekend.
“The guys are looking forward to it and hopefully we can create a good buzz and not only come away with a win, but a positive performance.”
With heavy rain forecast in Belfast, Gilroy is bracing himself for a gritty forwards battle at the Kingspan.
He said: “Leicester have a really big pack and forwards who will carry ball for them really well. “If the weather is the way it’s supposed to be, that’ll probably come into the game. We won’t be able to play expansive rugby and it’ll be a pick-and-go match between the forwards.”
Gilroy has been impressed by summer arrivals, fly-half Billy Burns (inset), who joined from Gloucester, and former Sale captain Will Addison.
He said: “Billy is getting to know our style and I think he’s just going to get better and better.
“I also enjoy playing outside Will. He’s just got a lot of time on the ball and creates stuff which is exciting for me.”
Gilroy, Jordi Murphy, Will Addison and Michael Lowry all return to the starting XV, with Lowry making his European debut at full-back.