Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
NOT A TIME TO TREAD LIGHTLY
Kieran preparing to put in a barnstorming display
ULSTER’S Kieran Treadwell can’t wait to test himself against one of the best in the business when Wasps come to town tomorrow night.
England second row Joe Launchbury is one of Wasps’ big stars and a man on a mission after surprisingly not making the Lions tour to New Zealand.
But Treadwell, 21, said: “You just want to pit yourself against the best and it’s at the back of my mind that I’ve got to step up.
“Last year I came off the bench in Europe and you noticed the pace of the game straight away.
“Wasps have got some big carriers in the forwards and some serious class out wide and it’s going to take a big squad performance from us.
“But we have that winning mentality and want to keep the run of games going.”
Ulster reached the European Cup final in 2012 and qualified for the knockout stages for four years in a row.
But in the last three seasons they haven’t got out of their pool, and in two of those campaigns, only won two games out of six.
So far this season, Ulster have won five out of six games, but Rob Herring knows the team hasn’t been at its best yet.
Tomorrow night’s opening European clash, then, would be the perfect time for it to all come together.
“We’ve had an alright start,” said the South African-born
Ireland hooker.
“But we haven’t had that one game where everything has clicked.
It’s a big challenge for us and hopefully that brings out the best in us.
“European week is always extra special and we’re lucky enough to be opening the tournament at home against a big European team.”
Wasps have been out of sorts so far – they’ve won just two of their six games in the English Premiership.
They’re also without their playmaker Danny Cipriani, so Ulster have plenty of reasons to be optimistic that they’re facing last year’s Premiership runners-up at a good time.
Herring, who’ll continue in the No2 jersey in the absence of injured skipper Rory Best, will be recalling previous big European nights to inspire him.
“Personally, I’m massively excited,” he said.
“We’ve had some brilliant wins here, like Toulouse at home and Clermont last year.
“Every game in Europe is memorable, even if it’s getting tougher and tougher each year.”