Ulster braced for Glasgow backlash, says Louis Ludik

Ulster’s South African-born full-back Louis Ludik is expecting a big backlash from Glasgow when they head over to Scotstoun for the start of a five-game stretch that will define the Guinness Pro12 season.

Following a squeaky 13-10 win against the champions in Belfast in February, Ludik, who is ready for action following a four-week spell on the sidelines with a groin injury, knows it is going to be a tough battle against the team who are four points behind fourth-placed Ulster, but with a game in hand. Also, Ulster have not won at Scotstoun for four years.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game, it’s always tough against them,” said the 29-year-old Ludik, who signed on for another season after arriving from French side Agen in 2013.

“We beat them at the Kingspan and they’re going to come for us. We just have to pitch up. If we lose one of these last five games it’s going to be tough, especially with all the teams very close at the moment.

“It’s going to be a great run in. The guys are looking forward to it and it’s a massive challenge. For the European Cup, it’s going to be tough for the team that misses out, with only three automatic places from the four provinces,” said Ludik, who feels that, with injuries forcing young players to put up their hand, the squad is showing depth again.

“It’s never nice being injured. It’s so frustrating, especially a groin injury. I didn’t tear it; I just pulled it, but any small thing with the groin can take so long. It’s a very sensitive muscle. It’s such a frustrating thing sitting on the pavilion, just watching and not able to do anything so I’m really excited to be back. Now, I’m feeling great and every day is getting better and better.

“The recent break for the squad was much needed. It’s a real mental thing to be able to just break away and not think of it for a bit. In training, you’re switched on every day and you’re never off, really; you think about the game at home. It was a long run in, a long period of the season with no breaks. They tried to rotate us and give the guys time off every now and then but it takes its toll. You can see with the amount of injuries that we had.

“The guys look after us, it’s such a professional set-up and the medical side is brilliant, but the break was needed and the guys made the most of it. Last week was good, we trained and you can see the difference. The guys really stepped it up and we’re now fresh,” said Ludik who wants Ulster to finish off their opportunities against Glasgow.

“There have been a couple of games in which we broke them down, but didn’t finish them off. We know we can break them down, but taking our opportunities is massive for us. Take the semi-final last year, we played very well up until the 60th minute and then they came through. They played very well, and deserved to be champions.”