Alan O’Connor: Hard work is paying off for Ulster

Ulster's Alan O'Connor. Photo by Roberto Bregani/Sportsfile

In Iain Henderson’s absence, it is Alan O’Connor who has done much of the heavy lifting this season in Ulster’s engine room.

One of those no frills, no fuss and entirely essential forwards in any successful operation, the 28-year-old Dubliner has been the main man in the second row forging a good alliance in recent weeks with Australian Sam Carter.