Ulster ready to 'put it out there' for fans - Hume

James Hume believes consistency within games is key for Ulster this season

After something of an annus horribilis for Ulster in 2024-25, centre James Hume insists they do not "want a repeat of last season" this time around.

The northern province begin their new United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign against the Dragons in Belfast on Friday (20:05 BST).

In a campaign blighted by injuries and inconsistency last year, Ulster missed out of the URC play-offs and qualification for the Investec Champions Cup.

However, it is a fresh start for Richie Murphy's side, who enjoyed a productive workout in their sole pre-season game against Edinburgh.

While admitting that having just one outing before the real action begins was "semi-frustrating", Hume says there is a determination within the squad to make up for last season.

"When we did play the game, there were some learnings we had from it and then we go back into another training week and don't get to put it back out onto the pitch again," the 27-year-old told BBC Sport NI.

"There are so many positives and the boys are eager to learn again this year. I don't think we want a repeat of last season, so everyone is in the same boat and just want to put it out there in front of the fans."

Consistency with Ulster can aid Ireland ambitions

Hume is in line to make his 100th appearance for the province on Friday.

Last season, he was forced to watch from the stands until a 10-month absence through injury came to an end in February.

With a full pre-season behind him, he is "buzzing to be playing" in the campaign's first game.

Capped three times for Ireland, there is an ambition to add to that number, but the primary focus is playing and performing on a regular basis for Ulster.

"Getting consistent game time for Ulster and then putting myself in Irish contention is the goal, but I've got to nail that first part of getting out there every week and putting a performance in."

It all begins on Friday against the Dragons who had their own difficulties last season, finishing bottom of the URC with just one win on the board, although Ulster just about escaped with a 34-30 win when the sides met at Rodney Parade.

Both sides will have a different look this week following changes to playing and coaching personnel, with Hume saying that Mark Sexton's arrival as attack coach is "a breath of fresh air" after "training standards dropped over the last couple of seasons".

"He'll give you a kick if you're not up to standard, which a lot of our lads react to quite well.

"Our new attack shape and how we run things went well in our pre-season game and our training is going well, so we just hope to put it out into the season now.

"Last season, we started really well and then bled off during a game, or we started really slowly and picked it up at the end. It's just getting that consistency as we want to be an 80-minute team. If you can't deliver that, you aren't going to win games in the league."