Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
We have to play it fast & furious tonight
MCPHILLIPS INSISTS ULSTER MUST BE ON POINT FROM FIRST MINUTE
JOHNNY MCPHILLIPS has warned Ulster they can’t afford a slow start against double champions Leinster tonight.
Dan Mcfarland’s men were sluggish in the early stages of last Friday’s Connacht clash and paid a heavy price with a 21-12 defeat in Galway.
Tries in the opening 20 minutes from Shane Delahunt and Bundee Aki set the tone as Ulster fell to their first loss in five outings.
“We started slowly and that’s something we’re trying to work on,” said Mcphillips. “In the first 20 minutes we weren’t at the races and ultimately that’s what cost us because for the next 60 minutes it was 12-7 to us.
“When you go to places like that you’ve got to be on the money as soon as you come out the gate. You can’t wait for 20 or 30 minutes to get into the game.
“You’ve got to be at your absolute best from the first minute. If we’re not on our game there’s a calibre of player who will punish you instantly.”
Mcphillips is relishing pitting his wits against a Leinster side with just one defeat in its last 17 outings at the RDS – a shock 17-15 loss to Benetton last season.
Leo Cullen’s men lie top of their PRO14 conference, a whopping 13 points above second-placed Ulster who are just two clear of a bunched chasing pack.
“It’s the toughest place to go in Europe, if not world club rugby at the minute,” said Mcphillips of today’s trip to South Dublin.
“But it’s an exciting opportunity as well. There’s no better place to test yourself than against the people who are leading the way.” Mcphillips, who helped Ireland reach the final of the U20 World Cup final two years ago, is relishing laying down a personal marker at the RDS.
Maximising his opportunities is crucial as he bids to keep the
pressure on first choice No10 Billy Burns (inset) who has impressed since joining from Gloucester.
“Massively so,” he said. “Obviously you have Europe but interpros are also the big games in the calendar. You’re testing yourself against the best in Ireland essentially.
“Billy’s setting the standard so I’ve just got to push on. When I get these opportunities I’ve got to take them and put my best foot forward.”
Ulster have made 11 changes ahead of next week’s European clash with Racing, with Michael Lowry, James Hume and Matthew Dalton joining fellow Academy player Angus Kernohan in the line-up.