Investec Champions Cup: Ulster's Rob Baloucoune says European games are 'class occasions'

Robert Baloucoune has made five appearances in the URC for Ulster this season

Ulster wing Robert Baloucoune believes the atmosphere which surrounds Champions Cup games can bring out the best in Ulster as they prepare to face Bath in their opening game at The Rec.

The sides had contrasting fortunes last weekend as Johann van Graan's Bath beat Premiership leaders Sale to go second in the table, while Ulster suffered a home URC defeat by Edinburgh.

"It's another step up and you're always raring to go. Europe is just a class occasion for a supporter and a player," said Baloucoune of the competition.

The 26-year-old has reserved some of his best performances for the continental tournament, including a hat-trick of tries in a 26-20 win over Toulouse in the first leg of their last-16 tie in France in April 2022.

A seven-point loss in the second instalment of that tie in Belfast saw Ulster eliminated, with the Irish province exiting at the same stage last season when beaten by Leinster.

"It's the opposition you face and the talent they have got," added Baloucoune.

"You don't go into a URC game any differently but it's just the whole atmosphere helps push you on. There's always a bit of a buzz.

"Bath are a really strong side, they are doing well in the Premiership. It's an exciting time though, it's the European Cup. We've played some of the top teams in the last two or three years and we've come out on the right side of that as well, so we know the challenges ahead but also looking forward to it, and what we can bring."

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After an impressive season in 2020-21 which saw him nominated for Ulster's Player of the Year, Baloucoune went on to make his senior Ireland debut against the USA in their summer tour.

Injury ruled the Enniskillen native out of the following summer's historic series win in New Zealand.

But after being named as part of the Emerging Ireland team in the autumn of 2022, he went on to start Ireland's win over South Africa in Dublin and score a try in the victory over Fiji, his second score in four Ireland appearances to date.

Baloucoune boasts a rare combination of blistering pace, outstanding footwork and aerial ability in his armoury of skills but injuries have limited his progress on the domestic and international fronts in recent seasons.

He suffered a hamstring injury against Munster on New Year's Day 2023 and then a recurrence of the problem soon after his return to action.

The wing has played in each of Ulster's last five games however, turning out against the Bulls, Munster, Lions, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Baloucoune claimed his first try since crossing against the Bulls in March in last week's reverse against Edinburgh at Kingspan Stadium.

He added: "I definitely struggled a lot last season. I think I've equalled the number of appearances I made last year, the constant training and being involved week on week is really good for me. Hopefully that can show in performances.

"It's always nice to score a try but obviously the focus is more on the results.

"It's the first time I really opened up in a game so hopefully now I can keep the tries ticking over.

"At the same time I'm trying to share my experience and be a leader in that back three. I'm enjoying it and just trying to push on from there.

"We were disappointed in our own performances [against Edinburgh], we've been going through them with the coaches and assessing what we can do better. We've all had to take responsibility for it.

"We haven't played a match on grass for a while so it will be actually quite weird playing on grass [against Bath], because Glasgow and other teams we've played away had 3G as well as ourselves, so I'm looking forward to it. It's a big game and everyone in the team is up for it too and switched on."