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.