Ulster Interpro title 'doable' in next three years

Murray Houston oversaw Ulster's first win in over a decade during his first year in charge

Ulster head coach Murray Houston believes that last year's long-sought victory over Connacht has transformed the mindset of his side with an interprovincial title in the coming years now the goal.

Last season's victory over the western province was Ulster's first in a competitive game for 11 years and they will welcome the same opposition to Kingspan Stadium on Saturday for a game to be shown live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website.

While both sides lost their openers in this year's championship, Ulster banked two valuable bonus-points from their 29-22 defeat to Munster in Cork with Houston believing that challenging for the title is now a realistic prospect.

"There’s potential for us to be winning an interpro [championship]," said Houston who is now in his second year at the helm.

"That should be the mindset that we’re going into the competition with, that we’re here to win the interpros."

Houston selected nine debutants against Munster, while Irish international and captain Kathryn Dane was returning to the squad after two years out of rugby following a brain haemorrhage suffered when rehabbing a knee injury.

'It's definitely changed the mindset'

Even with so many fresh faces, Houston has sensed a change among the panel since ending their long winless run.

"That was my first year with the squad but for a lot of them it did feel like there was that relief, that that was that done and we could focus on becoming a better team.

"It’s definitely changed the mindset."

And the Scottish coach sees no reason why his squad cannot take the next step in the near future.

"What we’ve demonstrated already is that as soon as you’re able to compete, it’s a case of can you get into that final and win a final.

"In the space of two or three years, it’s more than doable with the players that we’ve got, absolutely.

"That’s what we’re aiming for in the next two to three years, getting to a final and that we’re in a position where we can win it."

Kathryn Dane has made her return after more than two years out of the game

Dane sees the coach's ambitions as realistic for a squad who, despite only a sprinkling of experience, recovered from a rocky start against Munster last week when they fell behind 17-0 after just 18 minutes.

"It’s justified," said the scrum-half.

"With our new caps and everything, it’s testament to the quality coaching that we have and the resourcing and investment in our player pathways.

"That Ulster underage team has been successful for years and now we’re reaping the rewards. The growth potential is huge. The sky is the limit."

Despite the restored positivity around the province, Dane knows that backing up last year's victory with another win this weekend is imperative, even against opposition sure to be out to prove a point.

"Winning is everything," she added. "We do hope that we can put out a performance and get that win on Saturday.

"They’ll be sore after last season, knowing a lot of those girls from playing with Ireland, they’ll be hurting a lot from that loss last season.

"We’ll need our wits about us."