Ulster Rugby vs Connacht

REIDY DETERMINED TO LEAD AT THE FRONT Tousle-haired and tanned, Sean Reidy may have a somewhat ragamuffin look as he relaxes after a tough training session at Kingspan Stadium.

Kiss and Neil Doak always encourage us to play, backing ourselves. Just look at Craig Gilroy’s quick thinking and the alertness of Stuart McCloskey for our second try,” says Reidy. “That was the Ulster the fans deserve to see every week, and now that we’re on the run-in we’ve got to produce that sort of game consistently.” “It means that the game with Connacht this week is massive, but the boys are ‘up’ for it and know that each of our four remaining games in the PRO12 have become even more important.” Reidy’s rugby pedigree is unquestioned, his family is steeped in the game and his uncle entered a very special category by becoming an All Black, something that means he’s part of a revered breed in New Zealand. “I’ve been playing the game since I was four or five, it’s in the family blood, and it’s always been what I want to do.”

But the New Zealand-born 26-year-old is very serious about his rugby, and is currently relishing the confidence shown in his abilities by signing a two-year extension to his deal with Ulster. “It was an easy decision for me, for since arriving in Belfast two years ago I’ve really enjoyed my rugby, learned a lot and this season in particular I’ve had a bit of a run in the side and I hope put my hand up.” In the three weeks before the side returned to action in Glasgow last weekend he’d managed a quick trip to Lanzorote, the perfect tonic after an exhausting 16-week ‘block’ of games which had seen the strength in the squad tested. “I was craving some sun, and I just spent a few days lying on a beach, doing a little jogging, but getting a bit of a breather and came back refreshed for what’s going to be a crucial part of the season. “I really love Belfast, and its people, and although the weather isn’t always what I’d like, that’s not

SEAN REIDY

what’s important. Anyway,” he smiles, “I’m told summer is just around the corner!” Turning to rugby, and to this critical stage of the Ulster season, the flanker becomes deadly earnest. “We went to Glasgow and played some great stuff at

For Sean Reidy his sights in the short and mid-terms are on fastening down a starting place with Ulster, but he relishes the competition he faces to do that. His high regard for Chris Henry is clearly heartfelt, and he regards the Irish flanker as both an outstanding player and a generous team-mate. “I really got a chance when Chris was away at the World Cup, and he then got a shoulder injury

times, we were smart, we were in control at Scotstoun for so long that it was hard to take losing that game, and not even getting a losing bonus point when Stuart Hogg kicked that last-minute penalty. “The feeling in the dressing room was not one I want to experience again, that’s for sure. Obviously we felt we were harshly treated around the breakdown when we were in great positions, but we did make mistakes and against opposition of such quality you get punished,” he says. “But there were huge ‘plusses’ in Scotland. Iain Henderson’s return to the side after a really serious injury was great, and the try he scored was good for him but showed us as a team at our slickest, and that try came after some great build-up from the whole side, playing the sort of rugby Les

and I got the opportunity to get a run in the team,” said the Irish-qualified open-side flanker. “That was great for my confidence, and I think I developed as a player in many aspects of my game. “When he was injured, and even now, Chris is always someone who will offer advice and encouragement. We’ve played together a bit more recently since he’s back fit and his work rate is astonishing, you soon realise the amount of ground he covers, the tackles he makes, and why he’s won so many caps.” “I’m really happy to have signed a new contract, I really enjoy here, Belfast is a really cool place and I’ve made a lot of friends through rugby.

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