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www.
ULSTERRUGBY
.com
ROB HERRING
Describe your first appearance for Ulster?
My first appearance was against Glasgow
Warriors in 2012. I remember being so nervous I
wasn’t able to eat much the whole day leading up
to the game. It was my first season for Ulster and
when Mark Anscombe told me I would start the
first game it was such a surreal experience. The
game went by so quickly and most of it was a blur
to be honest.
What are your top five moments in
an Ulster jersey?
I would have to say…
1. Ospreys at Kingspan Stadium in 2015 - my first
league game running the boys out as captain. A
moment I will cherish forever.
2. Treviso at Ravenhill in 2013 - my first European
start and first European Man of the Match Award.
3. Connacht at Kingspan Stadium in 2015 - I had
12 family and friends over
for this game and it was
so incredible having them
all over to experience an
inter-pro and support me at
Kingspan.
4. Oyonnax at Kingspan
Stadium in 2016 - my first
time captaining Ulster in
a European game. I was
fortunate enough to score
a try in the first five minutes
and we ended up with a
massive 56-3 bonus point win.
5. Leinster at Kingspan Stadium in 2016 - my
birthday was a few days before this game and my
fiancé, Nicola, had organised for my dad to come
over on a surprise visit. To have him in the stands
while we put 30 points on Leinster was such a
special moment for me.
The toughest game you have played in
and why?
I guess the toughest games I’ve been involved
in are the games where we come off the pitch
knowing that we have underachieved. A few
games come to mind but Leinster in the semi-
finals last season stands out. We were in a
situation in the run in to the semis where we really
had to scrap for a playoff spot. We managed
to win 5 out of 6 games to secure a spot in the
semi-finals and were in incredible form. Going into
the semi we really felt it was our time to go and
win the PRO12. To then go and fall short against
Leinster again really did hurt and was tough to
swallow, but is definitely an emotion that drives
this team everyday to be better this season.
The toughest opponent you have faced
and why?
There are a few hookers who stand out - Guilhem
Guirado, Schalk Brits, Olivier Azam or Tom
Youngs. But my toughest opponent would have
to be George Smith - simply because of the way
he knocked me out in the Irish Wolfhounds’ game
against the Barbarians. I took a switch pass off
Conor Murray and tried to run over George - that
was the last thing I remembered until I came back
round in the medical room.
What has changed from cap 1 to cap 100?
I’ve been fortunate to have
some incredible experiences
on and off the field since
I joined Ulster. I’ve made
lifelong friends over the
years, been involved in some
unbelievable games for Ulster,
travelled Europe, improved as
a rugby player, got engaged
and embraced the Ulster
Rugby culture. So there have
been quite a few changes
but they have all been for the
better and I like to think I’ve grown as a person
over that time.
Achieving 100 caps as must be
a great honour?
Getting to 100 caps for Ulster is extremely
humbling. It’s a Province that I love playing for and
I never take the opportunity of pulling the jersey
on for granted. To be able to run out as captain
on this occasion is a massive honour and it will be
a very proud moment, one I will never forget. We
have such a good vibe amongst the squad this
season and I genuinely can’t wait to get out there
again with the boys. My mother, Gael, is over for
tonight’s game and will be there supporting with
Nicola, so I just want to give a shout out to them
for all the support, through the highs and lows,
over the years. They have been such rocks for
me.
ROB HERRING
CELEBRATING
100 APPEARANCES FOR ULSTER