As Ulster resume their assault on the #RaboPRO12, Kristian Ross has a look at their season so far.
So now it begins. After the best possible start to the season, now everyone really is starting to pay attention to Ulster Rugby.
Currently it's 5 wins from a possible 5, and sitting pretty at the top of the PRO12 as well as Pool 2 in the Heineken Cup with a 100% record. It's been tough, the loss of Nevin Spence hit every player, fan and staff member of Ulster hard. The rugby community came out in full voice, the support was tremendous, the tributes fantastic.
Not only are Ulster playing some brilliant rugby building on last season, but their paying tribute to Nevin with every hard earned win. I'm sure that he'd be proud.
Three players for me, have stood out. First of all Nick Williams. One of the newest Ulster players, Nick has joined and became the person that so many love to see at Ravenhill on a Friday night. A human battering ram, he doesn't need tricky or deft footwork to elude defences... He merely plows right through them.
A man who does use the twinkletoes effect is Jared Payne (pic). Payne is electric at the moment, he seems to be involved in everything, running lines, getting tries here and there and coming back from his injury with the look of a man determined.
And then comes Paddy Jackson. What can we say about the young man. Will first of all, he's mega cool under pressure. Nailing so many kicks for Ulster from the tee this season as well as some incredible boots for territory, he's looked magical, a real future star, a man with the potential to go on, to become the next Jonathan Sexton or Ronan O'Gara.
That's my pick. But there's so many more. Everyone has dug in and proved that Ulster aren't just the gutsy team that made the Heineken Cup final last year. They're proper competitors. Proper challenges.... Here for the long run.
I'm Kristian. 18. And my mind is filled with rugby shaped thoughts. Supporting Ulster Rugby, Newcastle Falcons and of course the mighty Ireland. Tommy Bowe is the MAN !!!! SUFTUM.
