Ulster's Cormac Izuchukwu: We have to take our medicine and move on against Bordeaux-Begles

The 24-year-old, who won his first Ireland cap last month against Fiji, came off the bench at Stade Ernest-Wallon for what was his Champions Cup debut but could do little to limit the damage done by Toulouse.

MOVING ON: Ulster's Cormac Izuchukwu acknowledges the fans after the game. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Last Sunday was a reality check for Ulster and Cormac Izuchukwu as Toulouse put them to the sword, shellacking the northern province as the European champions ran in nine tries.

The 24-year-old rising star, who won his first Ireland cap last month against Fiji, came off the bench at Stade Ernest-Wallon for what was his Champions Cup debut but could do little to limit the damage done to Richie Murphy’s side who today host the in-form Bordeaux-Begles in the second round of Champions Cup games.

“It kind of stays with you and is a bit of an itch so hopefully this weekend I can fix that,” said the London-born but Offaly-raised player of the 61-21 hammering.

“I can’t wait for it (today’s match) and get stuck in and hopefully have a good game and do something special for the fans as when you’re back here it’s a whole different feeling.

“I’m still hitting my milestones, … my first (Champions Cup) game last week that was special and now something I haven’t experienced before, a home (Champions Cup) game so I can’t wait for that, I’m still having the moments so hopefully they keep coming.

“Hopefully we can get something done,” he added with the northern province not only bidding to put last Sunday firmly behind them but also make inroads on Pool One.

“As a team we really hate losing and it’s not a good environment to be around whenever we lose,” said Izuchukwu who starts today at blindside flanker but can also play lock.

“Everyone wants that to change, and you can only change that by winning so this weekend we’re going to have to get stuck in and hopefully do what we can.”

Another defeat against Yannick Bru’s star-sprinkled squad would not only potentially derail Ulster’s Champions Cup campaign just two games in but would also rack up a rather worrying four straight losses, the province having arrived at Europe off the back of two reverses in the URC.

“It hurts a lot, you want to be up there with the best in the world and it’s hard, I wasn’t up to it last weekend I felt like I didn’t have enough good moments.

“It’s on the day mentally you turn up,” insisted Izuchukwu about what faces Ulster today.

“That’s something you’ve got to bring yourself, there’s no preparing you because every week there’s a new challenge with someone else coming at you so you just got to get stuck in.”

And turning to today’s opponents he added: “Their backline is really special; they’ve got power and speed same as Toulouse but it’s just a case of can we handle that and as forwards spread the field and take care of the challenges.

“Obviously, there’s a lot to fix (from Toulouse) and they had certain players like (Antoine) Dupont and other players doing certain things but Bordeaux have a whole new set of players who can do a whole other set of things.

“So, it’s going to be a case of just take our medicine and hopefully move in the right direction this weekend.”

It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster for Izuchukwu, brought into Andy Farrell’s squad for last summer’s South Africa tour, returning there with Emerging Ireland earlier this season and then being handed his first cap by starting in the Autumn series against Fiji where he acquitted himself well.

“I was crazy nervous, and I was thinking of kick-off and when it goes, you’re into the game so I was just thinking of kick-off and that was it,” he said of his Test debut.

“I had my family there who are not massively into rugby, and I think I’m the only one who actually played rugby in my family, so it was really special, unbelievable.

“My mum, my two brothers and my sister, my eldest brother flew back from England, and it was his 30th birthday as well so that was even more special.

“Coming back in here and switching focus back to Ulster mode, it’s been special too, the last few weeks have kind of been buzzing with new things coming towards me and I’ve really enjoyed them and tried to embrace them.”