ULSTER captain Iain Henderson reflected on a hard-fought win in difficult conditions against inter-provincial rivals Connacht last weekend.
The Ulstermen won 20-19 against the Westerners amidst swirling winds and sheets of rainfall.
“Delighted to get the win, we know that was [by] no means a perfect performance but to be able to see out a win and hold onto that leading into another Interpro next week, will give the guys a couple days break that they will be able to enjoy,” said the lock.
“Conditions were tricky in both halves I found, the rain to begin with...and then the swirling winds.
“I thought we were going to use the winds a lot in the first half but it was swirling around quite a bit and wasn’t really that predictable a tool we could have used.
“In that second half, it was kind of all over the place.”
Henderson and co have, of late, been the last-minute merchants with this game being the seventh of the season that Ulster has won or lost by seven points or less.
This trend is one that Henderson hopes Ulster shed with experience.
He said: “It’s something we’ve talked about and something that, I think, a lot of players learn as they get older...with the likes of (James) Hume who has been around for a while now and Michael Lowry, yes they’re still young going by the year they were born in, but they’re becoming...more experienced and understanding more what it actually takes to be able to see out these games.
“It’s good to see and hopefully it can be another part of their game that they can grow.”
As with any inter-provincial derby, there were some flared tempers and pulled jerseys, which the Ulster captain should be used to by now having seen his fair share of ‘argy-bargy’.
“You know which players are going to be causing a niggle and which aren’t, especially in the tunnel beforehand, there was a small bit of ‘argy-bargy’ let’s say.
“It was funny, you can take a step back and laugh at it and everyone’s still friends afterwards... it’s amazing how quickly tempers settle and everybody’s friends again within 30 seconds of a whistle blowing.”
The Ulstermen will be hoping to start 2024 as they mean to continue as they face the only province they have not faced yet this season in Leinster on New Year’s Day, who sit second in the United Rugby Championship table, behind Glasgow Warriors.
“I’d say the lads will be looking to prepare this week and we’ll be looking to get ourselves prepped for a bit of niggle next week...inter-pos are always feisty and getting closer to European and Six Nations time, it’s always great to be involved in them,” said Henderson, who won the Man of the Match award against Connacht.
“I think it’s massive, it’s huge to be able to switch off for these couple of days...to be able to switch off and enjoy, we know we’ve put a good shift in and we’re all for that this season, ensuring that guys are mentally refreshed as much as possible to be able to come back in and really enjoy themselves.”