Ulster Rugby vs Toulouse

LOUIS LUDIK ON… TOULOUSE: “It was very disappointing against Saracens but they played very well and beat us quite convincingly. This weekend is going to be very important for us, especially having hopes to reach the playoffs. “The guys are really positive, after Edinburgh we got our confidence back, especially the guys coming off the bench and we played really well. It is going to be a tough challenge for us this weekend, Toulouse are a massive team and are doing well in the Top 14, everyone knows how well coached they are and what experience they have, it will be tough. We just have to bring it on the day especially with the crowd behind us, and hopefully we can get the win.”

FRENCH SIDES TRAVELLING: “In general, the Top 14 sides don’t like travelling. But in the Champions Cup it is massive and every game matters so teams can’t afford to lose. They are going to bring everything, especially since they lost at Saracens, so it’s a must-win for them also.” THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GAME: “They have only lost away and we have lost at home so it’s going to be very important for us to win on Friday night. To win at Toulouse and at Saracens will be very tough, so winning at home is going to be key.” THE INJURIES V EDINBURGH: “Losing those key players will be difficult, they are really

LOUIS LUDIK

“When I played for Agen in France we played in the Pro2 so we never played against them but the club is very close and a couple of my friends played there. I’ve watched them a few times and they have had almost the same squad for a couple of years. In general they are a real seasoned team that have played together for a long time so we need to be at our best.” SWITCHING POSITIONS: “I really enjoyed it, it is always fun playing in the centre, you

important for us and they have been playing so well. However, younger guys are coming through and now they will get an opportunity. You want the best players to be fit for the Champions Cup games because it is an important tournament, but it is always nice to see the younger guys putting their hands up, especially young

guys like Alan O’Connor, Rory Scholes and Stuart McCloskey. Just young guys playing brilliant rugby and putting their hand up, it’s good for them to get an opportunity and they can embrace it and test themselves against some of the best players in the world.” DEFENCE: “These last couple of weeks we have been working hard on defence. There is a saying that ‘defence wins championships’ - a lot of teams play well with ball in hand but it is very important to have a good defence. Against Saracens we slipped a bit but in general we have defended well. “I think there is a confidence that Les and Joe have brought into the team and a system that everyone buys into and it is great to see. We are really looking forward to the game.”

get a bit more ball and you are a bit more involved, but I like playing fullback as well and I’m so used to it by now. I just enjoy being on the field and with every opportunity it doesn’t matter what position

I’m in, I just try to do my best.” TOULOUSE’S BACK THREE:

“They have a lot of internationals, especially that back three. Sometimes when you have experience like that it is tough to break down because they know what to do, they know their away round and they know each other. With experience they know exactly what the guy next to them is going to do. They have a bit of youth as well and they love throwing the ball around and it is a good brand of rugby to see.”

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