Reddan won’t fall into trap of writing off underdogs Ulster

Eoin Reddan believes Ulster have not been afforded the respect they deserve this season and warned the Heineken Cup final in Twickenham will not be the procession many predict for Leinster.

Underachievers for so long after claiming their 1999 European title, there is a widely-held belief that the Ravenhill outfit have overachieved in reaching the May 19 decider. But Reddan believes it is time to give credit where it is due.

“Ulster have proven themselves over and over again this year and probably more so to us [players] than the media,” he said at the launch of the 19th Annual Bloomsday Messenger Bike Rally in aid of the Irish Youth Foundation. “The media say, ‘oh, they’re up. They’re down. Will they lose to Edinburgh?’ We always knew they would win that semi-final and we have massive respect for them as an organisation. They have achieved a huge amount this year. They will be absolutely going for it in the final. As will we. It will be a great game.”