09-08-2025
Ulster aiming for play-off spot in Interpros
Ulster head coach Murray Houston says that his side are aiming for a play-off position as they begin their Interprovincial Championship against Leinster on side finished fourth in the table last year, drawing one and losing two of their three take on reigning champions Leinster, who they beat in a warm-up game last month, and Houston hopes that result will give his side confidence heading into the fixture at Donnybrook."If we play to our potential, we're looking to get into the play-off position and the final if we get things right, but we have to go prove that," he told BBC Sport NI's Nicola McCarthy."It's going to be a really big battle between us and Leinster. They're going to be a much-changed team from the warm-up fixture, and we have to be ready for that challenge."
Contracted players' absence may 'level out the playing field'
Sunday's game in Dublin is Ben Martin's first as Leinster boss and with many of their contracted players off on international duty with Ireland ahead of the Rugby World Cup, 13 players are set to make their who has named India Daley as captain upon her return from a long-term knee injury, will give first Ulster starts to Ruby Starrett, Lauren Darley, Georgia Boyce and Paige is hoping that the young players brought in as a result of more senior players gearing up for the World Cup with Ireland, can grasp their chance."We'll be missing some of those contracted players, but it's presented the opportunity for players who otherwise wouldn't have had those opportunities," he said. "In terms of the competition, it might level out the playing field with the players that are available. It's good as a province too, to see the depth and see what our club players' levels are like."Leinster beat Ulster 39-14 at the Kingspan Stadium last year, but Houston believes his side have improved in key areas since that result and are better prepared to challenge."We want to be sharper on our transitions, when we lose the ball and we've had a big emphasis on our contact skills, particularly around the breakdown," he added."That is going to be key battle for us, if we can get that right on the day that will put us in good stead."
