Gilroy: Losses haven’t dented our confidence

ULSTER’s Craig Gilroy has assured fans the side’s belief is as strong as ever despite two recent defeats.

The province lost to Munster and Connacht over the last two weekends in preparation for welcoming Leicester to Kingspan Stadium for this evening’s Champions Cup opener.

“Despite the losses our heads haven’t dropped,” he said. “We still know what we’re about. We’ve a few guys back from injury which has lifted the squad and the coaching panel have done a really great job.

“We still know how good we can be and we know there’s only a couple of per cent between being good and being great.

“We’ve strengthened our squad for this week and everyone is looking forward to it.”

Gilroy is one of two survivors from the 2012 win over the Tigers and he has scored twice against the two-time champions.

“We’ve had some really good memories with Leicester coming here in the past, some of my fondest in an Ulster jersey,” he said.

“It would be really good to make another couple this weekend. It’s another chance at home to put in a big performance in a new competition. It’s a clean slate to make our mark.”

Along with Gilroy, Ulster are able to bring back Jordi Murphy and Will Addison, while prop Marty Moore is set to make his debut after his summer move from Wasps.

Twenty-year-old Mike Lowry is also included for a first senior start, getting the nod at full-back.