ULSTER prop Andrew Warwick has said a clearer mindset and an injection of youth has helped establish Ulster as one of the front runners in this year’s Champions Cup.
After winning in Clermont last December, Ulster returned to France last weekend and came home with another victory. This time in the backyard of the reigning champions Toulouse.
“I just think we win the games and we are focused on what we do,” says Warwick.
“Big leaders too. People like Big Al (Alan O’Connor), Hendy (Iain Henderson) or Duane (Vermeulen) in there you know, they have you focused on your job and you just know what you have to do.
“There’s a lot of clarity and a lot of calmness. And obviously the young fellas coming in there and scoring tries, like (Robert) Baloucoune and (Michael) Lowry, they’ve been unbelievable this year. And they add to that.
“They create real excitement,” added the loose head prop.
Warwick has been soldiering away in the Ulster front row since 2014 and just two weeks ago he earned his 150th Ulster cap in the defeat to the Bulls in South Africa.
While that occasion won’t live as long in the memory as he would like to, he’ll certainly remember his 151st appearance.
Warwick more than played his part in last Saturday’s 26-20 win in Toulouse.
Just short of the hour Warwick dived over the line to score a rare try. It gave Ulster the lead for the first time in the contest and it was a lead that they managed to hold on to until the final whistle.
Minutes later, and Warwick was showing off his expertise at the breakdown. Winning a turnover for Ulster in an area where Toulouse were hugely dominant.
It’s maybe taken Warwick a little bit longer to reach the 150 milestone than he would have liked. But this season has seen the modest Ballymena man play some of his best rugby for Ulster, something he puts down to off field preparation as much as to on field preparation.
“I’ve been going as hard as I can in training.
“On how I prepare for games, I’ve been doing more visualisation. What I need to be doing in those big moments in defence, maul and scrum.
“I probably think through a little bit more and that prepares you for the games better,” said Warwick.
Warwick’s try helped Ulster on their way to what was at one point a thirteen-point lead. However, a score from Toulouse in the dying minutes means that the tie is very much alive as all eyes turn to the Kingspan Stadium for Saturday’s second leg.
It’s another reminder that when given half the chance, Toulouse still have the firepower to conjure up chances from nothing.
“They can pull anything out of the bag.
“That just means us as a team have to be on the ball. Working as a collective the whole way through the game and if we’re working together that’s how we can beat them.”
