Ulster Rugby vs Zebra

ANGUS CURTIS

After the crucial win in the opening round of the Heineken Champions Cup against Bath, we spoke to Angus Curtis about how he took the opportunity to move to Ulster, his thoughts on the game and the upcoming Clermont challenge, plus how it helps having a brother come through the Academy system.

now too part of the club’s Academy. He has found it mutually helpful having Graham join the setup. “It’s great having some family around. I remember coming over and everything was all new; I didn’t know what was going on and how the system works, so I’m glad I could help him when he came over. I always joke with him that he’s lucky to have me as I didn’t have anyone when I came here! I live with him so we get on well. He’s played in the Celtic Cup for Ulster A and he got his chance in the warm-up game against Glasgow and scored a great try, so he’s done really well this season.” The nail-biting win against Bath last Saturday was the 21-year-old’s second game playing in the Champions Cup - his first being Leicester at home last season - and he relished every moment. “It was fantastic,” he said. “It was the biggest win I’ve been involved in with Ulster. All the young guys have been working hard in training and doing all we can to take our chances, so when we do get them,

Although born and raised in Zimbabwe, Angus Curtis is Irish-qualified through his grandfather, Arthur Bryan, who played for Ireland in 1950. His father, David Curtis also played for Ireland between 1991 and 1992, including the 1991 World Cup. It was when he finished Hilton College in South Africa that he started to think about his ambition to play rugby in Ireland. “I finished school in 2016 and played for Sharks U18 when I decided I wanted to come to Ireland, so I got into chats with Kieran Campbell (Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy Manager) and came over to visit. The team helped me out and offered me a spot in the Academy at the beginning of 2017, just after I finished school. It was exciting; although I was nervous at the time, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made and I’m really happy.” Angus’s younger brother, Graham, has followed suit by moving to Ulster and is

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