Craig Gilroy: We are the best in league and must be mentally strong

“You can have all the plays and plans you like, but against Connacht on Friday night I think what we need in the Ulster side is to be mentally strong, to have the right attitude.”

Ulster and Ireland winger Craig Gilroy, still ruing the late, late defeat at Glasgow last weekend, knows the visit of the Guinness Pro12 leaders to Kingspan Stadium could well have a defining effect on the season for the hosts. “They’ll come out of the box flying, and as we saw against Leinster Pat Lam’s boys were really up for it, and it’s no surprise that they lead the table,” says Gilroy. “But though we’ve had a rocky last few rounds, losing three out of four, we have faith in the ability in the squad, and we still believe we can achieve our initial target of a top four finish and a semi-final spot.

“It’s been those small errors, the momentary lapses which have cost us, as they did in Glasgow when we looked so in charge of that game.

“I hold my own hand up, I didn’t realise I had the time I had when Ruan Pienaar set me up for a break down the right, and if I’d used both hands to pass to Luke Marshall I’m sure he’d have been in for another first half try.

“And we had other chances we just didn’t make the best of, and at this business end of the year we can’t be caught out as we were by the Scots who scored 18 unanswered points when we were so in charge,” says Gilroy, still clearly hurting from ‘the points that got away’.

“But I firmly believe when we are consistent for 80 minutes we are the best team in the league, and we have to do that, especially given the situation we find ourselves in The return of Rory Best, Jared Payne and Andrew Trimble this week has given everyone a boost, on the pitch and in training.

“They bring not just their own presence and gifts to the side, but they bring a real leadership to the group too, and that can only be good,” says the jinking winger who has also featured at full-back as Les Kiss has juggled his resources as injuries and illness have definitely altered some his anticipated selections.

Gilroy was also taking heart in Ulster’s record against the westerners.

“I think we’re the only side to win in the Pro12 at Galway, and that does give us something to draw upon, but to be honest it’s all about this match, not what’s gone before.

“What is impressive is the way the players, collectively and individually, have bought into what Pat Lam has done down there, and we know we’re in for a very physical night on Friday. Connacht like to run the ball, but defensively, as we all saw against Leinster, they are in your face, and we’ve got to be — and will be — ready.

“Our last four games are critical now, and though there are other fixtures which could see the table change a lot in the next month we know we have to do our job, and the first priority is a win.

“Then we can look forward to the next game at Zebre and know what we have to do. We owe it to the fans, we really do, but we owe it to ourselves as players and to the coaches who have worked so hard,” says Gilroy, whose performances have pushed him right back into the international picture for the summer tour of South Africa.

“I’m not thinking about that, what I want, what we all want, is to get back on track and extend the season into the play-offs. Connacht is some challenge, but it’s one to relish.”