Ulster Rugby v London Wasps

KIERAN TREADWELL: HOPES HIS SUMMER SUCCESS CAN CONTINUE ON…

enjoyable. Japan was a hot place to go to and a tough place to play in but we managed and there were a few young guys in the same position as myself, so it was good for us to get exposure at that level. Did you notice the lift in intensity being involved in Irish Camp and in test games? Yes, definitely. The intensity in the players around you and the healthy competition within the squad is massive. Everyone wants to be in the team so it was intense. It was humid and hot so it was tough to do those high impact sessions. We trained hard and then we also had gym work and walking and talking through different roles, looking at the opposition, looking at our training and a lot of analysis was done behind the scenes also. It was

This time last year you were looking forward to making your Ulster debut. It's been a bit of a whirlwind year since then? Yes, you could say that! At the start of the season I was playing for my club, Ballymena, and I didn’t think I would get much of a chance during my first year at Ulster, but I’m extremely pleased, honoured and proud that I managed to get the opportunity and hopefully this season I'll be able to crack on and do the same. It was a real breakthrough year for you in terms of your form with Ulster, what do you put it down to? You've got to set goals but sometimes the goal posts can move as the season goes on. Once I got my first cap I needed to change my goals,

tough, but a great experience. I'm sure you will be hoping that that experience will stand you in good stead for the season ahead with Ulster? Yes, definitely. I'm hoping that this season we will kick on. Now that we have new coaches on-board, you can notice that the pre-season sessions have stepped up a level in intensity and we all want silverware. At the end

and where I wanted to go to. There are great players around you, and you've got some serious experience with the likes of Rory (Best), Hendy (Iain) and Jared (Payne) who went on the Lions Tour, and then there's Tommy and Trimby, who all set the bar so high. Also, the coaches really helped me to improve, Les especially. I set a goal to improve my fitness and the Strength & Conditioning

KIERAN TREADWELL

coaches, JD and Kev, helped me through and got me in the best shape I could be to get selected. Your good form was rewarded with an International call up, how was that experience for you? It was a bit of a shock to the system when I first got the email. I know I went for a camp before Christmas but it was still a shock to me. I put my head down, and carried on playing for Ulster and thought I just want to have a successful season at Ulster and then this came up, and the goal posts moved again. I went out there and thought I've just got to work as hard as I did for Ulster for Ireland. It was a successful tour and really

of the day we are all in this business to win and we have been working hard on all aspects of our game. We have our own style now and teams have got to adjust to us rather than the other way around. How has it been working with Jono Gibbes? Obviously, with him being a back row/second row I can pluck some of the wisdom that he has gathered over the years with both playing and coaching. I've only been with him a short time, but from the time I have been with him he has been very helpful. If i've got a question, I go straight to him and see if he has a solution or if we can work it out together, it has been good so far.

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