LOSSES ARE LOST ON ME

Matt to welcome the challenge as he hasn’t been badly burned by Blues before

ULSTER’S poor record away to Leinster is blissfully lost on New Zealander Matt Faddes.

Having only joined the club in the summer, the Kiwi doesn’t bear the scars of the annual humiliation at the RDS, like last year’s 40-7 hammering in the PRO14.

Ulster have won just once – in 2013 – away to Leinster in the last 20 years.

“I don’t really know too much about the results between Ulster and Leinster in the last few years,” smiled Faddes ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to Dublin.

“It’s my first time down there so we’ll go with an open mind.

“I know Leinster won’t be taking us lightly, that’s why they are a quality side, they respect the opposition.

“But we don’t want to put them on too much of a pedestal and be gun-shy, that’s for sure.

“It will be a massive challenge, they’ve probably set the bench mark for the last couple of years in Europe and the PRO14 so, we’re excited to get down there and start off the festive season well.”

Faddes has swapped barbeques in the sun for a frosty festive season in Belfast, and is embracing all that is new.

“I can’t believe Christmas is next week. At home you’d be winding down after part one of the preseason and then you’ve two weeks off.

“I won’t be having the sun or a few barbeques and a few beers and I won’t be swimming in the ocean either, but, yeah, it’ll be cool to taste a different culture and see how things are done up here.”

Faddes, 28, has scored five tries in his nine appearances for Ulster this season.

He was gutted to miss out on the Champions Cup games away to Bath and at home to Clermont because of what he describes “a crooked shoulder and crooked knee”.

He has flitted between full-back, wing and outside centre in his short time at Kingspan Stadium and doesn’t mind being seen as a versatile player.

“I’ve been doing it for a few years, it can be quite fun really and every position has different jobs – though it does mean I take on a little more homework.

“Especially if you’re sitting on the bench and you’re covering all three (positions).

“But the wing, with the insides we’ve got and the style we play, it makes it an enjoyable place for sure, even in the rain.”

HURDLE THE CHALLENGE Matt Faddes is keen to test himself against the might of Leinster in Dublin tomorrow