Ulster's Chris Henry desperate to get his hands on silverware

Ulster went into the final day of the regular season against the Ospreys knowing their destiny was in their own hands as a bonus point victory would guarantee a top four finish regardless of what happened elsewhere,and Les Kiss’ men duly delivered scoring three tries in each half.

“The pressure was on us and we didn’t come here looking for the bonus point although we knew that was enough,” admitted Henry.

“We weren’t coming with the bonus point in mind, we were coming for the win but fortunately with the weather and that quality pitch we were able to get four tries against a quality side so job done and it is a pretty happy changing room,” said Henry.

The Ospreys were also chasing a bonus point win to try and qualify for the Champions Cup and the game started at breakneck speed.

“It was very hot and tough on the lungs, it felt like there was no air out there at all,” Henry said.

“The Ospreys came out to play and throw the ball around and we have a quality backline that likes to throw the ball around as well so we definitely had to dig in and the fitness was tested for everybody.”

Henry’s try was a brilliant bit of opportunism as he pounced on a mistake at the back off a ruck from Ospreys scrum half Rhys Webb.

“You take those ones, I guess. I thought I had control of the ball and it has happened to us a few times and the ball has just rolled over the try line and obviously it is open play then,” he said.

“You definitely take it and I don’t think I have scored an easier one.”

Ulster travel to Leinster in the semi-final on May 20.

“There is an awful lot at stake for both teams, probably ourselves and Leinster are only coming into their form now,” said Henry.

“We are desperate to win something. Leinster have been in finals and won big games but we have won down there before.

“I reckon it will be a very close game, we just need to do our homework and prepare the way we have and stick to the process because that is what is working for us.”

It has been a decade since Ulster have won any silverware and Henry feels that is far too long.

“Every year we always say we’ll move forward from this and learn and for me who has been here quite a while it is frustrating to keep on talking like this.

“We have given ourselves another chance and as a team we know it is sitting there for us and we just need to go out and grab it.

“We are playing another quality team and we’ll all be desperate to go out and have no regrets.”

last year that semi final away at Glasgow still haunts me and it always will as it was a game we should have won, now we are in the same position where we are away from home again, it is a massive advantage to get home advantage and Leinster will know that and hopefully the Ulster fans will come out in force and we can give a good showing.”

The sides met twice this season with both going to the home side, Leinster winning 8-3 at the RDS in November while Ulster won 30-6 at Kingspan last Saturday.

“It’s knockout rugby and we have a bit of experience but we haven’t even been able to see it through, cool heads are going to be needed along with the intensity and physicality we know we can bring all those boxes are going to have to be ticked, we’ll regroup and I’m sure it is going to be a cracking game of rugby and I’m already itching to go.”