Connacht play-off 'another step in our journey'
Murray Houston is in charge of Player Pathway as well as being Ulster's head coach
- Published
Ulster head coach Murray Houston says his side's third/fourth place play-off against Connacht in the Women's Interprovincial Championship on Saturday represents "another step on the journey" for his mostly youthful squad.
The northern province will take on their western counterparts at the Kingspan Stadium, a match which will be broadcast live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website with a 14:00 BST kick-off.
Ulster collected two bonus points in a defeat by Munster in their opening fixture of this season's series in Cork, then drew with Connacht and lost to Leinster.
"Getting to play at home against Connacht is an opportunity to go out and put in a really good performance but ultimately get that victory we’re looking for as well," said Houston.
"Connacht have been very good throughout the competition, we have to be wary of how they played in the first half up here so it’s about getting that consistency.
"Getting that consistent message across, making defence the big emphasis of our training sessions, so all our roles and responsibilities are tied down."
Blend of experience and youth
Irish international Kathryn Dane has returned to captain Ulster this season
Ulster's squad boasts a mixture of experience and youth as they continue to improve performances and raise expectations in the aftermath of ending their 11-year winless drought in the competition by beating Connacht in the third-fourth place play-off 12 months ago.
“There are a number of players in there with experience, Kat Dane coming back in and she has taken over as our captain. She gives us a really level head and professionalism to everything," said the Ulster head coach.
“You have other players that have been involved with Ulster for a long time that probably don’t get the plaudits, people that are also big leaders within the group that make a big difference and then some younger players that have really stepped up to their roles as leaders.
"They’ve had a massive input into how this team is looking and driving those expectations."