Ulster predicting big future for newcomer Wilson

Listen to Clermont v Ulster on BBC Sounds from 12:00 BST on Saturday, 13 April

"He's probably got a big future ahead of him in terms of getting out of a white jersey and into a green one."

When Ulster ended last season with Jeff Toomaga-Allen departing and Marty Moore still on the long road back from an ACL injury, the squad were left with real concerns over their prop depth.

Add that Tom O’Toole was set to head to the World Cup with Ireland and the province had a job this summer just ensuring they had enough recognised tightheads to fill a team sheet.

While they sought stop-gap solutions from outside the organisation, as the season wears on it appears the long-term answer was under their nose the whole time.

Scott Wilson, the Ulster Academy product who started the year well down the depth chart, will make his 10th appearance of the campaign from the bench against ASM Clermont in the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals on Saturday having already made a big impression at Kingspan Stadium.

The 21-year-old scored his first try in the last-16 win away to Montpellier but it is his work at the set-piece that has really caught the eye, especially when up against the likes of Springbok Ox Nche out in South Africa last month.

“At the start of the year, I think people were saying ‘oh my goodness, we’re going to have to play Scotty this weekend’ and that week in training I was so excited about him playing,” said captain Iain Henderson.

“We saw the impact he could have in games and to be scrummaging at the level he’s scrummaging at, and at his age, is phenomenal.

“For me, he is one of the most exciting prospects we’ve had in a long time and he has some incredible natural talents.

"He has his ability to try and pick up things on the go but he’s also very laid back and quite chilled as a character, which is I think could be the making of him going pretty far.”

Wilson made his senior debut against Munster in November

Given his debut by then head coach Dan McFarland against Munster in November, Wilson’s inexperience hardly showed despite coming into what had been a struggling scrum.

Indeed, not for the last time this season, the set-piece improved with his introduction.

After McFarland departed in February, Richie Murphy has had no qualms about utilising Wilson in big moments either.

The interim boss coached Wilson at Ireland Under-20s level and, like Henderson, has been impressed with both Wilson’s performances and his attitude.

“He takes everything in his stride,” said Murphy.

“We're constantly talking to him about things he can keep on improving.

“He's got a good attitude and there's not too many 21-year-old tighthead props playing at this level or URC level so it shows you how competent he is.

“He's probably got a big future ahead of him in terms of getting out of a white jersey and into a green one.”

'A raw talent'

The night Wilson made his Ulster debut was the same that Rob Herring became province's record appearance holder.

The two front-rowers at opposite ends of the experience spectrum have packed down alongside each other on a few occasions since with the Irish international sensing his new team-mate has the physicality to follow him into a green jersey.

“He is incredibly strong," said Herring.

"Dan McFarland actually told me that pound-for-pound he is one of the strongest props in the squad. For a young guy, that is pretty impressive.

“I also think he throws himself around the place, he is not scared to get stuck in and do a lot of work on the pitch.

“We have got really good tightheads at the club for him to learn off them and them to show him the way. I think that is going to be important for his development.

“He is young and he is a raw talent but he has got all the makings to go the whole way and represent Ireland.”

Saturday in the Stade Marcel Michelin may represent the biggest game of Wilson's career so far. Those who have worked closely with him this year clearly don't expect that to be the case for long.