Returning John Cooney now firmly rooted in Ulster

When Ruan Pienaar left Ulster in the summer, reluctantly and tearfully, supporters feared a void at scrum-half.

Whether John Cooney, battling to unseat Kieron Marmion in Connacht, realised just what a challenge he faced to win over Kingspan Stadium supporters, he’s not saying, but he’ll start against his former club, at The Sportsground, this evening, safe in the knowledge that he’s firmly established as a fans’ favourite and with much of his team’s run of form attributable to his standout displays.

“It’ll be great to be back in Galway. It wasn’t easy leaving. It was a matter of head over heart,” he said. “I’ve really settled in and, I have to say, to hear an Ulster crowd singing and cheering you on is very special. Hopefully, we can give the supporters who’ve made the trip, or are watching on TV, something more to sing about with a win and crucial points in the Guinness PRO14.”