Ulster Rugby vs Leicester Tigers

IAIN HENDERSON: IT’S GREAT TO BE BACK

Amid all the bad news regarding injuries, there is at least one positive story from the rehab room this week. Ireland international, Iain Henderson, plays his first game of the season tonight. It is a timely return for the versatile forward and he says that after seven months on the sidelines, he can’t wait to get back to the action:

IAIN HENDERSON

Henderson is quick to back Head Coach, Neil Doak and says that as players, they must shoulder the blame for performances: “We are always 100% behind Doaky,” Iain says without any hesitation. “You can put blame on injuries but going forward we know the mistakes that we have made and we can only learn from our past games and better where we have gone wrong against Scarlets and Leicester.” With European qualification over, there is only pride on the line for Ulster tonight. Iain says that the side are now fully focused on the Guinness PRO12 and he believes that it could yet be a successful league season for Ulster: “Firstly, we are aiming to get a win this weekend, Iain says. “We are 5th in the league and with a couple of bonus point wins we could be top with all to play for. Someone threw out a stat earlier that we have scored four more tries this season that we had at the same stage last year. We have all to play for in the Guinness PRO12 and there is no reason why we can’t do a job there.” With Iain Henderson back in the side, anything is possible.

He says: “It has been frustrating watching the highs and lows this season, but injuries are unfortunately now part and parcel of the game. I feel absolutely fantastic. I have been training over the past few weeks and I have been itching to get back. I have been trying to persuade the physiotherapists and the strength and conditioning staff to let me play - but this week is the right week.” In terms of opposition, taking on Leicester Tigers, the most famous name in English rugby, is a formidable reintroduction back into the game. However, Iain says that he can’t wait to get involved: “Europe is gone now but we don’t want to lose at home,” Iain says. “Leicester are a big physical team and we want to take it to them up front. They are a big set piece orientated team and they will be looking to out-scrum us and beat us at the lineout. We just need to be ready for it and we are ready for it. Despite the result against Toulon our scrum and our set piece was actually very good. We just need to build on that and get some good quality ball for our backs who will hopefully score a few tries.” There has been criticism of the team in recent weeks from sections of the media, but

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ULSTER RUGBY

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