Sport

Kieran Treadwell: Ulster not carrying mental baggage into Leinster clash

Ulster's Kieran Treadwell pictured discussing the upcoming BKT United Rugby Championship Round 9 fixture against Leinster at RDS Arena. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.
By George Herman
BKT United Rugby Championship: Leinster v Ulster (Monday, RDS Arena, 5.15pm, live on RTÉ 2 & Viaplay)

Last December, Ulster lost 38-29 against Leinster at the RDS. On the surface it looked just another run of the mill league defeat in Dublin, a place where the northern province has only achieved two victories against the old enemy since 1999 in all competitions.

However, Leinster had been reduced to 14 men following a red card for Ireland prop for Cian Healy and Ulster led 22-3 coming up to half-time.

The defeat at the RDS saw Ulster go into a tailspin, losing six out of seven games.

As Dan McFarland’s side prepare to face the United Rugby Championship leaders this evening at the RDS, lock Kieran Treadwell believes there is no mental baggage in the Ulster squad going into the game despite the capitulation on their last visit.

“It was a tough one (last year), people think when the opposition have a card you should be on top of them, when people have 14 men they sometimes work harder and are more dangerous because they have to do more,” said Treadwell.

Rob Herring scores a try against Leinster at the RDS earlier this season
Rob Herring scores a try against Leinster at the RDS in last season's encounter when Ulster lost 38-29 having led 22-3. Herring returns to the starting line-up having missed the win over Connacht in Belfast on December 22

“It’s about being clinical and controlling what we are able to control and stick to our game plan because it does work, and I believe in it.”

“Looking back, I think we leave some opportunities out there and I think that is where we need to be more ruthless and actually finish those opportunities because in this high level games you may only get five opportunities in a game so you need to convert them ever time.”

“The RDS is a tough place to go but I think the main battle is with yourself, we know that we can go there and do it which we all do, that is not blind confidence, that is being confident in our own ability and what we have worked to.”

“Leinster are a good team they have got a good squad, but you have to back yourself when you go down there.”

“We always start pretty well down there, but it is just that last bit and we need to finish them off.”

“Down there you just have to have the belief, it is a tough place to go, it is always a tough place to go and hopefully the weather holds out for us so we can start playing our expansive game.”

Treadwell pinpoints the lineout as a key battle in Monday’s clash as he pits his wits against Ireland’s James Ryan and South African Jason Jenkins in the Leinster engine room.

“You do your analysis and make your guesses where you think people are going to be in the opposition, but it is probably more a focus on ourselves.”

“You can only control what you can control so if we go in and nail our drill for example at a lineout and go after it and make sure it is consistent every time then we set the hookers up for success and we set ourselves up for success.”

“It is kind of focus on yourself as a team and do what we can do.”

“The lineout in the game as a whole is massive, it is the winning or losing of the game so if your lineout D (defence) is good and you can stop it at source that will give your defence a chance of the back of that.”

“If you have a good lineout drill it sets us on the front foot to make those strides and our gain line carries and the plays that we want to play.”

“It is a massive part of my game being a second row, but we need to be on the money every time.”