Ulster Rugby vs Edinburgh

RUAN PIENAAR ON… HIS TOP 3 ULSTER MEMORIES FROM 100 CAPS: Your first cap is always one that you will remember and one that remains special. Running out at the old Ravenhill for my first cap was really memorable. I remember being very nervous, it was a new setting for me with new teammates and I wanted to slot in as quickly as possible. It was exciting but nerve-racking because I really wanted to impress. The 2012 season was also a highlight for me, the quarter final away to Munster and the semi final at the Aviva were games that I really

to share Christmas time. We went into town yesterday and the kids were really excited to see all the decorations and Christmas lights – it is a special time of the year and you can feel the festive atmosphere starting to build around town, which is cool, and we are all looking forward to Father Christmas coming. LEINSTER: There was some good play and I think we showed some improvements, but for us I think we have been inconsistent in our performances these past

few weeks. The coaches have been working really hard with us in trying to implement the plans they want us to execute and hopefully we are getting there. It was disappointing not being able to get a result last Friday and Leinster is always a tough team to face. We showed some glimpses of what we wanted to do but there is still a way to go. I think our basic skills deserve our attention, and that is something Les and Doaky have been working on. We have worked on basic skills and reducing simple errors which sometimes let us down, but the guys are all still upbeat and working hard

RUAN PIENAAR

enjoyed. The experience was unbelievable, from the moment we left the hotel to see the support and the white jerseys all over the place was amazing. The final was also very special. Although we didn’t get the result, to see so many supporters in London was incredible and even though we were beaten the supporters were still so proud of us getting so far. My hundredth cap was also really special, I never thought that I would get there but to achieve that was really a special occasion for me. It would have been nicer to

get it at home but still really good despite the final result. I am very proud to have played 100 games for Ulster. LIVING IN ULSTER: I think the people really make this a special place to live. My family has been welcomed with open arms and the support has been fantastic for us foreign players. They will come to games regardless of wind, rain or snow - they are at Kingspan cheering us on. In general, it is a beautiful place, you can go to visit so many nice villages and towns that are just 30 minutes from Belfast so little things like that make this place special. Obviously the weather is challenging for us, it is different to what we are used to back home in South Africa, but it is part of the experience and we have embraced it. CHRISTMAS: We are going to be by ourselves this Christmas. There is no family coming to visit from South Africa so that is tough, being so far away and not being able to see them. Although I am sure a couple of the foreign players will get together

and they still have a positive attitude. There is still a long way to go in the season so I am excited for the next couple of games and hopefully we can show the hard work we have put into training coming out on the pitch come game night. EDINBURGH: We pride ourselves on our performances at Kingspan Stadium and I think the last time we played here we let ourselves down. This is an important game for us, and for us it is about improving, getting momentum, putting in an energetic performance and getting the confidence up. Edinburgh are a really good side, they are playing good rugby and they have been very impressive, so it will be another difficult fixture. But the guys are excited to get out there again and it would be nice to score some tries again to get the fans excited so they will get behind us and support us and hopefully everyone will be in the festive mood.

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