Joe Hopes vows to make every opportunity count with Ulster

Hopes made his debut against Connacht in November 2023 but had to wait nearly two years for his next appearance when he came off the bench in Ulster’s win against the Sharks in Durban.

Since that game in October the 21-year-old second row has made his European debut in the victory over Racing 92 and featured in all three interpros over the festive period, including a start in the home triumph over Munster.

Ahead of Saturday’s URC game against Cardiff at Ravenhill, Hopes said: “It’s been enjoyable, it's always nice being in there. After a few games, you sort of belong there, it's [about] not getting too comfortable and always looking [at] who's behind you and looking at your next step.

"I have lots of things I still really want to improve on and it's going after that, but when I also get the opportunity, I want to make sure I impress and show what I can do.

“I'm back, playing for Queen's here and just trying to work on what I want to.”

Hopes came through the Queen’s pack with Charlie Irvine and now the two second rows are competing for a place in the Ulster engine room.

“Me and Charlie are close enough,” he added. “Charlie is a wee bit different to me, he offers something different to me, but I always think Charlie is really solid and consistent, that's something I want to push after my game as well.

“It's good competition, I suppose, it has kept the lineouts competitive.”

Having Jimmy Duffy, the Ulster forwards coach who used to play in the same position, is benefitting Hopes as he learns his trade in the second row.

“I think Jimmy's good, he always pushes you,” he said. “He's never too happy with you, never too disappointed with you; he always keeps you level, which you need to be because you're never in too good of a place, I think. There's always a mistake coming or standards will drop.

“You've just got to stay on with Jimmy and he'll keep you right.”

Hopes was pencilled in to start Ulster’s European Challenge Cup game against the Cheetahs but the game was cancelled due to the weather, leaving him “gutted”.

“I was gutted, it was a weird one because we were driving to the game and the rivers and stuff were frozen driving there, so I think we were like, ‘how could this go ahead?’ But I mean, we got there and the ref said it was going ahead, so I was actually, I was pretty excited to play at that point.

“I was really in for the game and then someone came in and told us it was off, and it was a bit of a weird feeling because the adrenaline's pumping but yeah, when I look back, it's really disappointing it wasn't played because I haven't got a chance.”

Hopes has also been working with former Ulster and Bath hooker Niall Annett, who is part of the academy set-up at Ravenhill and also coaches the Queen’s forwards.

“Niall's good, he gets on well with the boys. He's a great coach and stuff but I feel like it's a bit disappointing for him that we're not getting the scores we want to for Queen's, so in that sense, it's disappointing and you feel like you're letting them down and the coaches down a wee bit.”

Hopes wants another chance in the Ulster shirt and is ready for any opportunity that arises.

“If an opportunity comes, it comes. I just need to really focus on myself and make sure I'm mentally in for games when I get game time, and I'm ready to go, because when I'm on, I think I'll be on.”