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against the Scarlets and in Cardiff, and we’ve
worked hard on that area this last week,” he
says.
“This squad is really top-quality, and when Rory,
Jared and Andrew return from Irish duty they’ll
bring real leadership skills as well as their proven
track records to the team. That’ll be important as
the season reaches the climax we all want.”
Marshall is now fully-fit and eager to play in every
game, but he admits he was a little ‘niggled’ by the
media speculation surrounding some of his injury
problems of the last couple of years, particularly
concerning the concussions he had picked up.
“Far too much was made of all that, and it still comes
up which is annoying. Never at any time did I think
I was going to even think of having to stop playing
rugby. I’m a physical type of player, injuries happen,
you go through recovery and take the best medical
advice, which is readily available here at Kingspan
Stadium, and I can assure everyone I am absolutely
fine!”
It’s said with such firmness and assurance that one
cannot doubt this engaging, quietly-spoken but assured
young man from Ballymena!
“We have had some real ‘highs’ this year, like the wins
over Toulouse, and the defeat of Oyonnax at home. That’s
the way the coaches and the players want to play, running
rugby which entertains and which we all enjoy being part of,
so we hope we can get that back into our play over the next
two months.
“The game with Zebre is so key, we’ve put a bit of pressure
on ourselves but some of us thrive on that, and though the
Italians are tough, resilient and perhaps more competitive than
people think, we would like to think we can get a win, anything
more is a bonus,” he says.
Clearly focussed on a future now firmly resolved, Luke Marshall
is set to be a literally central figure for Ulster over the next few
years.
“I’m very, very happy with my form, with the opportunity to play
with some really top-class players – even compete with them! –
and when we play again after a two-week break I hope that as a
team, a management and as supporters we can do something
special this year.”
With his clear blue eyes still smiling, he says only if he plays well, the
team performs and wins, can he contemplate featuring in Ireland’s
summer tour of South Africa.
It’s obvious, his Ulster future sealed and delivered to the delight of
fans who love Marshall’s barnstorming yet thoughtful attacking style,
that PRO12 success is his primary concern just now.
“That’s the way it should be, the fans deserve to see us at our best,
and we all are focussed on getting something solid out of what’s
been a long season.”