FORTRESS KINGSPAN

Henderson wants a home to fear

IRELAND lock Iain Henderson believes turning the Kingspan Stadium into a fortress will leave Ulster fighting fit in the PRO14 this season.

Dan Mcfarland’s men got their campaign off to a winning start in Belfast last week thanks to a last minute John Cooney penalty in a 15-13 win over the Scarlets.

Henderson believes the province can send out a message by backing up its Welsh scalp with another home win over Edinburgh this evening.

“We have to make sure we relish these home games,” said Henderson.

“It’s extremely frustrating for us to lose here. That’s something we like to pride ourselves on.

“The home advantage we get from playing here is phenomenal. Playing well here is something we take great pride in.”

On last season’s home loss to Edinburgh, he added: “It’s more frustrating, not against Edinburgh, more against ourselves for not playing well and doing ourselves justice at home.”

While the likes of Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble, Charles Piutau, Robbie Diack, Paul Marshall, Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding all left the club in the summer, Henderson has been impressed by the new arrivals at the Kingspan.

Summer signings Henry Speight, Will Addison and Billy Burns all impressed against the Scarlets, while teenage winger Angus Kernohan made an impact from the bench. Add in a debut for former Leinster flanker Jordi Murphy (inset) this evening and it feels like a new dawn is breaking over the Kingspan. “There are a fair few new faces but I’ve been really impressed with everyone who has come in,” said Henderson. “The new signings have adapted really well. Training has been a lot more competitive and the young lads are also really pushing for places. They’re asking big questions of the guys who might have been there a long time.

“Constantly driving on and putting pressure on the old fellas and starting to stir the pot a bit. That’s something we needed.”