Ulster Rugby v Leicester Tigers

Ulster facing Leicester is a long-standing rivalry in European competition, with the two sides sharing plenty of memorable C R A I G G I L R O Y A FRESH START

contests in Belfast over the years. That famous 33-0 whitewash in 2004, Darren Cave's sublime hat-trick in a 26-7 win back in 2015 and a 22-16 win in 2013 on the way to going six from six in the pool. However, arguably the most famous game between the two sides was that unforgettable 41-7 bonus point win back in 2012 that saw Ulster take their place among the top sides in Europe. Winger Craig Gilroy was among the try-scorers that day and he can remember the game as if it was yesterday. "Some of my favourite memories in an Ulster jersey have been against Leicester at home, particularly here in 2011, it was a great win," the 27-year old recalls. This week it's the start of a new European campaign as Ulster prepare to take on their old English foes in the pool stages once again, as well as last year's beaten finalists Racing 92 and semi-finalists Scarlets. It certainly couldn't be a much tougher pool for Ulster, coming up against three teams who, combined, have won six trophies since the turn of the decade, while Racing have been involved in two of the last three Champions Cup finals. Leicester are first up at Kingspan Stadium tonight, with Gilroy hoping that the results from those recent meetings will be replicated in the match. "If we start well against them and things go well for us then it's usually a good game, but they've been going well in the Premiership and are coming off a good win over Northampton at the weekend, so they're going pretty well and it'll be a huge challenge for us," he says. "We want to start well and get a good positive vibe and put on a display for the fans and

focus on us and our plays. We want to get our gameplan right and deliver that on the pitch - hopefully it stays dry but that's a rarity in Belfast!" It's been a tough couple of weeks for Gilroy and his Ulster team-mates, who have lost their last two games against Munster and Connacht in the Guinness PRO14. However, with a new competition comes a chance to wipe the slate clean, regroup and go again in Europe, with everyone starting on zero again. "(Connacht) was a tough one to take, especially after Munster," says Gilroy, who sat out last week's game with a slight niggle. "The guys were pretty wounded and we were looking forward to bouncing back, especially at home. "It was disappointing, it's an interpro, you always want to win it and it was in our own back yard, but it was a big scalp for them in terms of league position and it was the first time in 50 years. "But we've got a fresh start now, we're into the Heineken Cup back-to-back now, so it's a fresh competition where we can look at our plays and set our focus on Leicester. "We'll review a few things and see where we can improve but in terms of the competition, yeah it's a fresh start for us, but a very tough one with Leicester at home and Racing away who, again, have been unbelievable in Europe." And the Ireland winger was quick to allay any fears over his injury, saying he's back and ready to go again in Europe's premier club competition. "I've had a wee niggle from South Africa but it should be ok now. I've been working with the physios over the weekend and I should be fit."

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