David McCann credits versatility for impressive run of Ulster appearances ahead of Edinburgh clash
David McCann has featured in every Ulster game this season, a consistent run the backrow attributes to his versality.
The former RBAI Schools’ Cup winner is equally at home in any of the three positions across the backrow and will play in his 15th game of the campaign on Friday night after being named on the bench as Ulster travel to Edinburgh for a rearranged United Rugby Championship game.
Although the three positions in the backrow require different skill sets, McCann doesn’t believe the number on your back is as important in the modern game, with players expected to be adaptable.
“It depends sort of on the make-up of the back row, whether you're going to be jumping in the lineout or, you know, there's someone like a Cormac (Izuchukwu) or Bryn (Ward) – you want them carrying more – so it really depends on who's playing and what the make-up is,” said McCann.
"I'm happy to play any of the roles and I think I'm able to do that in a pretty balanced way.
“I think it's tough just to be any one thing these days and unless you’re properly world-class at it, I'd like to think that a huge asset of mine has been [that he is] able to do that and do [it to] a high standard, and I aim to get better at each one individually.
“I think definitely being versatile means that you can be a consistent feature in the team; it also gives confidence to other people if they're coming into the team that you've been there, and you've played every game or you've played the past three games, so think it definitely does help.”
McCann is hoping that the Ulster scrum functions better against Edinburgh than it did last time out in the defeat against the Ospreys.
He added: “I think there's instances in that game where the back five, the back row, aren't doing their job and it makes it look like the front row are not doing theirs, and in reality we all need to be doing it together.
“You can look at the Ospreys game and be disappointed with the scrum and we were, but all we can do is implement things going forward and I think we have a pretty good strategy moving forward.
“It can be a lot of things, and it can vary between scrum to scrum, but what we are aiming for is to try and be consistent across surfaces, across the game and hopefully the next block of games.”
Despite being without their Scotland players, McCann knows whatever side Edinburgh field they will cause Ulster problems at the breakdown.
“We think they are going to have two good jackal threats, if not three, in their backrow so that always gives us an extra emphasis in the Ulster backrow on the breakdown, so it is focusing on things like that,” he said.
“It’s about getting to the breakdown early then ultimately being violent when you get there, and [taking] people off their feet getting there early always helps.”
McCann penned a new deal to stay at Ravenhill at the start of the week and said he was “proud” to be continuing with the province.
“I’m really happy and really proud to be staying for the next two years. I have seen our journey this year and it is exciting to be part of that for the next two years.”
Tighthead prop Tom McAllister will make his Ulster debut after getting the nod over Scott Wilson while Juarno Augustus starts at No8 after returning from injury.
Ulster: M Lowry; W Kok, J Hume, J Postlethwaite; Z Ward, J Murphy, D Shanahan; A Bell, R Herring, T McAllister, H Sheridan, C Irvine, C Izuchukwu, B Ward, J Augustus. Replacements: J McCormick, S Crean, S Wilson J Hopes, D McCann, C McKee, J Flannery, B Carson.