Les Kiss says Ulster must be steeled for historic test
History is definitely not on Ulster’s side either when talking about knock-out games in the competition having lost to Glasgow last year in the semi-finals and Leinster the previous year and again in the final back in 2013 when they had to travel to Dublin due to Ravenhill being rebuilt.
Ulster’s head coach Les Kiss knows that all too well and on numerous occasions during yesterday’s press call, he called Friday night’s shoot-out with Leinster at the RDS as ‘massive.’ Although Ulster left Leinster reeling three weeks ago with a 30-6 win at the Kingspan Stadium, Kiss says that they will be facing a different animal in Dublin and a team that they must respect at all costs.
“Yes, it was a good win for us, but ’ve got to say that Leinster were probably a little under-done and a lot of players who had played a lot of rugby. They’ve got another couple under their belt now and I suspect they will be in a far better place.
They will obviously be a lot more comfortable at home and they will certainly not be the same team that we played a few weeks ago, and I don’t mean in personnel but the type of game they will play.
“We will have to steel ourselves and put ourselves in a space that stands up and delivers and make sure we stay there. It’s essential we do the basics well, hold on to the ball and execute our plans,” said Kiss.
“The Ulster coach said that the last time they face Leinster in Dublin they narrowly lost 8-3 with one player standing out.
“We learned then that Josh van der Flier was a very good player!” explained Kiss. “He was critical on the night and did a good job on us.
“They may not have Josh this time, but they are loaded with a lot of good back-row players,” said Kiss, who is happy so far with his sojourn with Ulster since taking over at the end of November.
“It’s been very enjoyable so far,” he said. “I’ve copped a bit of stick here and there, and probably cop some more if we don’t do the job this week. It’s been great and bond between myself the coaching staff has grown. We know how we all operate and the players have an open mind, a growth mind-set about where they can go.
“That best comes out in 80 minutes, but here is certainly an ambition and an appetite. To tell you the truth I want to enjoy it even more on Friday night!”
It’s unlikely that Kiss will make few changes from the side that is on a roll with for consecutive bonus-point wins in the last four games scoring 141 points and conceding 59.
“The current 23, and the 15 guys who have started, have been very consistent, and when we have brought the bench on for the last two games they have been exceptional in critical moments. The bench for example has seamlessly fitted in when required.
“We’ve looked carefully at selection and what we think is going to get the job done, and to get the job done is to not tinker too much with selection.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
