Ulster young guns will savour special Thomond atmosphere

Two of Ulster’s young international hopefuls are preparing themselves for a real Thomond Park battle against Munster.

Craig Gilroy and Stuart Olding may have motored along different paths of late, but they are seeking the same end product. One, of course, is to be featuring in Joe Schmidt’s Six Nations squad, and the other is a little piece of Celtic League glory that has escaped Ulster for the past eight years.

Following their toppling of Guinness Pro12 leaders Ospreys last week, second-placed Ulster will be looking to put a bit of daylight between themselves and the team lurking menacingly just behind them, but they know Munster will be keen to gain revenge for a couple of defeats by the northern province in the last two seasons.