Matt Faddes knows Ulster need to tighten up defensively

The defence will face another stern test when they travel to the Sportsground in Connacht to face Andy Friend’s side. Ulster haven’t won in Galway for five years and Connacht’s attack has yielded 23 tries in six Pro14 games this season. Winger Matt Faddes knows the defence will have to be watertight in Galway to make it nine wins out of nine and preserve Dan McFarland’s side’s lead at the top of Conference A.

“It doesn’t help when a couple of them are penalty tries, it is almost the brand of footie you play, although I don’t want to use that as an excuse but if you live by the sword you can die by it as well,” said Faddes.

“Toulouse are probably one of the best weapons attacking wise in European and world rugby, Jared Payne will be wanting us to tighten up and obviously getting our defence right because that leads to winning games.

“The defence is a bit of a work on and I think the weather for Sunday is meant to be horrific so that might shore things up.”

Sunday will be Faddes first experience of the Sportsground.

He said: “It seems to be a pretty hostile ground to go to, without the crowds it won’t make things any easier but it takes that element away from it which is quite nice from our point of view. Connacht are a really physical side and we have to prepare for that acknowledge what their strengths are and try to counteract that.”