Versatile Clive Ross grasps opportunity at Ulster

Ulster forward Clive Ross will again feature for Les Kiss’s Ulster when they travel for a difficult assignment in Treviso this weekend.

Cork-born Ross, a cousin of Ireland prop Mike, has progressed from a genuine open side to now being able to fill any position in the back-row, and was named in the opening Guinness Pro12 Team of the Week.

That, he says, will give him more opportunity to get more involved in the match-day squad. In the 29-8 opening-day win over the Dragons, Ross slotted in at blindside and was the pick of the forwards for his all-round energetic display.

“It was great to get back out there and get a starting place,” said Ross, who made his name with Lansdowne under the eye of Mike Ruddock who recommended he had a bash at the professional game.

“Starting at number six could get me more game time, so I have to take these limited chances. We’ve always had a strong starting team, but it is now players like myself who can put pressure on other players, so I aim to take the opportunity to state my case,” said Ross, who comes into his own over the hard surfaces at this time of the season.”