A relaxed Jared tells our Ems “I’m pretty easy, chuck me out there and I’m happy”. Picture Darren Kidd|Presseye.
Emma Lowe brings you the latest from today’s press conference:
With Ulster away to the Osprey’s this weekend one team is going to loose their ‘unbeaten’ tagline. However, there seems to be a quiet confidence in the Ulster camp that they will continue to boast 100% unbeaten after Sunday’s show down!
Unfortunately Darren Cave has definitely been ruled out due to a hamstring injury which is a frustrating blow for the young home grown talent. Meanwhile it is thought that Ian Humpfries who came off against Cardiff last week after bruising his shoulder will be available. McLaughlin noted that he is responding well to treatment and while he didn’t train with the lads today it is looking very hopeful for the weekend. A further potential injury amongst the announced squad is scrum half Ian Porter who took a bang to ribs and is waiting to see how the injury will settle after having trained this morning.
New boy Jared Payne is likely to be back on the park again on Sunday and seems to be settling in with the squad nicely stating, “I’m pretty easy, chuck me out there and I’m happy”. Noting that the style of rugby over here is slower than in the Southern hemisphere the new signing will need to earn his shirt against the Ospreys who Payne noted are bringing a lot of speed in their backline for Sundays game. Having made his debut at fullback against Cardiff last week Payne pushed D’Arcy to the bench in an Ulster back line which is getting more and more intriguing every week.
With Ian Whitten playing out of position last week on the left wing, it is highly likely that the 24 year old will not be in the centres again against the Ospreys 
However, with only three days to prepare for the positional move last week at least it won’t come as a surprise if he is announced for another episode on the wing this time round. With Cave out of contention for the centres too this weekend, focus appears to be on 12 and 13 selection. Unfortunately McLaughlin was giving nothing away when questioned on who his options were, stating he’d “let us know when he announces the team”. However, we did get a little bit more character from the very straight faced Brian when he noted that Dudley Philips would be refereeing this weekend with a cheeky roll of the eyes!
Captain Chris Henry beamed that the Irish win at the weekend was a real boost for the lads to see their fellow team mates such as Ferris and Best playing so well and that he is excited to get the boys back from the World Cup so they can perform like that for Ulster! Let’s hope it will spur to Ulster boys on for yet another win!
FORWARDS: Jerry Cronin, Paddy McAllister, Declan Fitzpatrick, Adam Macklin, Andi Kyriacou, John Burns, Nigel Brady, Tim Barker, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy, Neil McComb, Pedrie Wannenburg, Mike McComish, Chris Henry, Willie Faloon, Robbie Diack
BACKS: Paul Marshall, Blane McIlroy, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson, James McKinney, Luke Marshall, Nevin Spence, Ian Whitten, Craig Gilroy, Conor Gaston, Jared Payne, Adam D’Arcy
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.