Tuohy: We want two trophies

Despite all the plaudits Ulster have received in the wake of their historic Heineken Cup victory in Thomond Park, second row Dan Tuohy insists they haven’t achieved anything yet.

Tuohy has laid down the challenge to his Ulster teammates to finish the season with some silverware and re-emphasised that they were still fighting on two fronts.

The win over Munster on Sunday helped Ulster reach a Heineken Cup semi-final for the first time in 13 years, but Tuohy is determined to go on and win the competition, while maintaining their challenge for the RaboDirect PRO12 in the process.

“We’re still fighting on two fronts, being in fifth place in the PRO12,” Tuohy remarked.

“Glasgow have a tough run in and so do we, but it would be nice to get something from the last three games. We want to try to get two trophies. We’ve not achieved anything yet, we’ve (just) got a scalp (against Munster)," he added.

Ulster face PRO12 games against Connacht away, Leinster at home and Munster away over the next few weeks with the rivalry involved in derby matches ensuring Ulster take their PRO12 duties seriously.

The Irish contingent of Brian McLauhglin’s team lack the level of international experience present in Munster and Leinster but according to Tuohy that might all change in the near future with Declan Kidney preparing to pick the squad for the tour of New Zealand in June.

“Three Inter-Pros is easy to focus your mind back on because there’s a lot at stake for the team," he said.

“And even on a personal level, the Irish qualified guys that are on the fringes, it’s important for them to stake their claim for the tour.”

“I just hope that in the next few games I can convince the powers that be that I’m worth a place on the tour.

“Ireland put a lot of stock in the success of the provinces. If we start bringing in some silverware, I believe the tide will turn and you might see a few more Ulster faces in that tour.”

Despite doing the double over Munster this season, Tuohy insists the hierarchy within Irish provincial rugby hasn’t changed.

“I don’t think the pecking order has changed. One win won’t change that. We need to be beating Munster and Leinster consistently if we want to change the pecking order.”

The next European challenge will come against Edinbugh at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 28th April, and Tuohy is looking forward to another big day out.

“Having played Edinbugh before and watching their game against Toulouse in the hotel, we’re under no illusions as to the magnitude of it. It should be a great occasion in Dublin, it should be fantastic.”