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Following three years with Leicester Tigers he returned
to Belfast in 2008 and made his debut for Ulster
against Newport Gwent Dragons. He came on as a
replacement and scored a try in a narrow defeat.
He left Ulster Rugby in 2012 and spent two seasons at
London Irish, before coming back to the province in the
summer.
He is now just nine points short of 500 points in the
PRO12 for Ulster and now, in his third spell with his home
province is aiming to do what his brother David did so
memorably in the Liberty Stadium in 2006, to help Ulster
win a league title.
In fact, when it comes to milestones, last weekend’s game
against Edinburgh was significant in terms of Humphreys
family bragging rights. At Murrayfield he played his 69th
game in the PRO12 meaning that he has now played one
more match in the competition than David.
We caught up with the Ulster outhalf to ask him about his
debut, his favourite memories playing for Ulster and his
biggest influences:
What have been your favourite matches for Ulster
so far?
IH:
Four European Cup games stand out. The home
matches against Biarritz, Clermont and Stade Francais
were three good wins and when we played Bath away.
I think it was a back-to-back fixture. That game is
remembered for Nevin Spence’s try when he landed on
his head and we won that game which helped us qualify
for the quarter final that year.
What are your memories from your debut?
IH:
My first game was Dragons at home. It was good, I
came off the bench. I scored a try and that was nice. I
grew up here watching Ulster when there weren’t many
people in the ground so to actually get the chance to run
out at the stadium was pretty special.
What did you learn when you were playing in
England?
IH:
I have realised how big a deal it is playing for Ulster,
how important it is and how much it means to the fans.
When I was at Leicester Tigers, I didn’t really appreciate
it because they were my first club. However, when I
went away to London Irish I realised that not every club
has the support that we have here and that it is totally
phenomenal. When I went over there, I really enjoyed it
but I almost instantaneously regretted having left and
to get the chance to come home was great. I had no
hesitation at all coming home.
Leicester had great fans and because it was my first
experience of professional rugby I just loved every aspect
of it. When I got here to Ulster, it was my home province
and I just thought every set-up was like it. The London
Irish fans were great but there were only a few thousand of
them and with London being such a big city you don’t see
a lot of London Irish tops about. Whereas here everyone
is wearing Ulster kits and everyone knows wheat is going
on and it is brilliant that way.
How did you change as a player?
IH:
I think when I went to London I realsied that I have to
be more vocal and take the lead more. When I was here
before it was the international boys that led everything
whereas when I have come back I have been a bit more
vocal. I suppose I am a bit older and a bit more mature.
What are the toughest teams that you have faced?
IH:
I think any time you play Leinster or Munster away its
always tough. I have never won at the RDS. The game I
enjoyed most was Clermont away. It was the first time that
I have played in a big, big French game. The atmosphere
was phenomenal and they hadn’t lost in in 40 odd
games at home and we should have won the game. The
atmosphere was brilliant and I enjoyed it although it was
frustrating and disappointing as well. Other than that, the
Heineken Cup Final was very disappointing. We had done
well that season and unfortunately we just couldn’t get
over the line.
What is the best atmosphere you have experienced?
IH:
Toulon away this year was amazing. Clermont is really
intimidating because the stadium is right on top of you.
I would say that they are the best two atmospheres -
outside of Kingspan Stadium of course!
What are the biggest challenges being a
professional rugby player?
IH:
I suppose any time that you are dropped; it is hard
to come back from that. I was dropped for the Heineken
Cup semi final in 2012 and subsequently ended up
moving to London. That was hard both emotionally and
mentally. However, that is just sport. You have to deal with
it and move on quickly. The emotions of selection, bad
performances or missed kicks are the hardest things to
deal with.
Who have been your biggest influences?
IH:
My brother David as he obviously played in my
position and was a bit older. At Leicester there was a
guy Leon Lloyd. He was experienced (he played 266
times for the Tigers) and I remember we were playing a
game against the Dragons in the LV Cup and I threw an
intercept. He came over and put his arm around me and
talked to me and gave me great advice. He advised me
on how to manage other players and coaches. He was a
great influence on me.
How are you enjoying being back at Ulster?
IH:
My wife Jenny and I went to school together. We are
both from Ballymena and we now have two young girls,
Anna and Zoe. My family is my most important thing to
me. Living where we grew up is great and I feel that I have
integrated back into the squad really well. I knew most of
the fellas anyway and I knew the coaches.
I am loving being back and hopefully I can play for a few
more years.
Tonight Ian Humphreys celebrates winning his 100th cap for his province.
IAN HUMPHREYS:
100TH CAP FOR ULSTER
www. ulster rugby.com23
ULSTER
RUGBY