Michael Lowry hoping to get Ulster back to winning ways against Munster
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Michael Lowry is hoping to make it a memorable Christmas by getting Ulster back to winning ways when they host Munster on Friday evening at the Kingspan Stadium.
The opening festive interpro is a huge game for the hosts who have lost their last four matches, being beaten twice in Europe by French powerhouses Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles and before that losing two URC games to Leinster and Cardiff.
“It’s been a tough block of games on the results side of things,” admitted the 26-year-old utility back.
“But the main thing is that we’re seeing an improving picture in what we’re trying to do, though obviously results are what we aim for.
“We’re looking forward to another interpro and at home (their previous URC clash being when they hosted Leinster) while there is a real belief that we can put more good stuff out there and get better.”
Ulster are currently 10th in the URC table with Munster a place and point behind them, both sides having won just three matches from the seven rounds played.
“This is a great opportunity and another huge test in the league with a point between us so it’s a good opportunity to back up what we did against Bordeaux in that first half (Ulster lost 40-19 with Bordeaux only pulling away in the final quarter) and really test ourselves again.
“We have to be on our game, and no better way to put it right than in an interpro,” he said.
“They (festive interprovincials) are always brilliant games, and they are always sold out, which means there is a good atmosphere.
“They are always tough battles, and it makes or breaks your Christmas so hopefully it will make it this week.”
Lowry could be playing against former Ulster teammate Billy Burns who departed the Kingspan Stadium at the end of last season and, clearly, will relish the situation should it arise.
“It would be brilliant,” Lowry says, adding: “I’d love to play against him, we were chatting about what Billy might bring in terms of is he going to give you a bit of chat or is he going to be really serious in the game.
“We all love Billy he is a great lad, so he’ll be interesting to play against but at the end of the day it is another game of rugby that we are out to win.”
Winning is the only currency at the best of times, but Ulster’s current need is even greater than usual with the province having secured just two of them from their last eight outings in all competitions.
“There have been a lot of different combinations, there are a lot of injuries at the minute, and it is the time of the year where there is a lot of contracts talk, so it is keeping the morale when you don’t have the results you wanted,” explains Lowry.
“If we’d got that the result against Leinster (their previous URC fixture before the first two rounds of Champions Cup), it is a completely different mood (here).
“I think it is really important that everyone gets behind the team and what we can show on the pitch to get the crowd behind us, it works both ways.
“We love playing in front of the home crowd, we do get the best support in terms of being hostile and I’m not sure many teams enjoy coming here.
“I’m sure there will be plenty of support and we need it this week because it is a massive game for us.”