Tom O'Toole: Ireland prop pitch perfect on early return in Ulster victory over Bulls
- Published
Tom O'Toole was named man of the match as Ulster defeated the Bulls on their new artificial pitch at Kingspan Stadium
Most players would be wanting a break after returning home from a World Cup.
For Tom O'Toole, he was back in action for Ulster just two weeks after Ireland's exit from the tournament in France.
Not only that, he ended up playing the full 80 minutes in Sunday's 26-19 win over the Bulls after "losing his marbles" sitting at home.
The Irish players were set to have four weeks off after their quarter-final exit to New Zealand.
Admittedly, O'Toole only played the once in France, in Ireland's Pool B opener with Romania. That came after an injury at the tail end of the previous season, so minutes over the past few months had been at a premium.
All that, and a phone call with Ulster head coach Dan McFarland, were the ingredients for an early return to action.
"Over the past few months I probably wouldn't have played as much rugby as I would have liked," prop O'Toole said.
"I think being away in the past few weeks I was pretty motivated, so I was in a good headspace coming back, so I was pretty happy with it."
O'Toole's return to domestic action saw him complete a full 80 minutes, something he joked that McFarland "didn't tell me... but hopefully I'll feel all the better for it afterwards".
Reflecting on the World Cup, the 25-year-old said it was "some of the best few weeks of my life".
"To be part of that group was a huge honour for me. It helped me with my rugby development and my maturity as a player," he added.
"The way it ended was disappointing, but that's life, that's sport and rugby. You don't win everything, but it was a great experience for me."
After the intense nature of being in a World Cup squad, and dealing with the bitter disappointment of Ireland's early exit, O'Toole admits adapting back into routine "was not easy, I won't lie to you".
"At the start of the week I was probably mentally adjusting to things and you are asking yourself if it was the right move to come back early, but you build the energy and excitement to play rugby again," he added.
"Especially when you are two different environments, when you are away with the Ireland group it becomes like a family when you are away every week.
"This week was about not being too hard on myself, taking my time to fit back in and not rush anything or put myself under too much pressure.
"I've been here for a few years so the boys made it easy for me."
New pitch 'held up really well'
Ulster made it two wins from two in the United Rugby Championship and the win over the Bulls meant a victory at the first time of asking on a new artificial 3G pitch at Kingspan Stadium.
O'Toole, who also set up Jacob Stockdale for Ulster's second try with a superb pass out wide, said he "didn't feel too bad" and was impressed with the new surface at Ravenhill.
"I haven't played much rugby in the past few months so I was really excited to be back home, a new pitch and a bit of a buzz around it - so I was excited," O'Toole said.
26-19 Win for Ulster over Bulls
On the new pitch, he added: "I'd only trained on it this week and the lads have only trained on it for a couple of weeks. I got a week of training on it and got a good feel for it.
"It was good. It held up really well, especially with the conditions in the last 15 minutes when it started raining.
"It held up really well under foot, especially around the set-piece. That takes a little while getting used to, studs and adjusting certain things to make sure the scrum is OK.
"It is a faster game, a bit more free-flowing. You have to keep working that bit harder. Hopefully with more match fitness that will come a bit easier.
"Not having mud and slipping and sliding when it does get wet is a bit handier, knowing you are always going to have a good surface to run around and play.
"I enjoy playing a bit and getting the ball quick, so it suits me."