Ulster Rugby vs Llanelli Scarlets

WILSON REACHES 200 CAPS FOR ULSTER Roger Wilson earned his first Ulster cap in 2003 against Neath-Swansea Ospreys and tonight he will feature for the 200th time against fellow Welsh side, Scarlets. Having been around the block for 13 years, we caught up with Roger to reflect on his double century innings…

that everything outside the game - the medical staff, the S&C coaches - all that has improved. The obvious changes are that players are more educated in terms of nutrition and well being. From when I started everything is just so much more professional. You have been playing for so long, reasonably unscathed, what’s your secret?

What have been your highlights? My highlights are picking up two pieces of silverware – winning the Celtic Cup in my first season and then in 2006 winning the Celtic League. Other small highlights include those big, difficult European games like when you travel to Welford Road and win, that is certainly up there as well. How would you

People talk about being durable, but I think it’s down to luck. I wouldn’t classify myself as being the most powerful of athletes compared to the likes of Stephen Ferris, whose sheer size can lead to pressure on the body. But I know when to push myself and when not to, that comes with experience. I pick my training groups wisely – I know not to go with the massive guys or young guys who want to knock lumps out of each other! What are your future goals?

ROGER WILSON

compare your 200th cap to your 100th? Achieving 100 caps and now 200 – is a great milestone to reach and it’s a great memory to look back on. To be involved and to get that many caps with a team like Ulster, who have been ranked among the best competitors in Europe, is not an easy thing to do. So to achieve that is something I am very proud of. How have you kept your enthusiasm for the game?

My goals don’t focus on caps – obviously getting to 200 will be a great achievement to look back on but I think when you come towards the end of your career – you want to look back at what you achieved as a team and not as an individual. Ulster has failed to deliver as much silverware as they probably should have, but I believe this year is a massive opportunity for us. Getting some silverware this season is the ultimate goal. What advice would you give to young players? Just to try and enjoy it. I would say, don’t get too uptight. Try to relax, have a bit of banter with the lads but work hard. If you want it bad enough – you have to work for it – and sometimes for years, so stick at it and I am sure you will get there in the end.

I have kept my hunger and enthusiasm for the game because I have a competitive edge about me, like most sports people. I feel like I still have a lot to offer, as long as the body feels good and the mind feels good. I feel extremely fortunate to be in this position, and we are all very privileged to be wearing the white jersey, so I think pride keeps you going too. How has the game changed? The game has changed quite a lot between now and when I started 14 odd years ago. The players have increased in size and there is a lot more emphasis put on the physical conditioning of the squad, so the impacts are higher and there’s more of them. But on the flip side of

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