'Nervous' Henry Walker marks first Ulster start and European debut in style with two tries in victory over Zebre
Henry Walker marked his first start for Ulster and his European debut with two tries in the bonus point win over Zebre in Parma.
Walker’s two scores had put last season’s Challenge Cup runners-up into a commanding 19-0 lead at half-time at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
Both sides scored 21 points in the second half as Ulster left Italy with a maximum five points.
Walker, who joined the Ulster Academy after a stint with Hartpury College in his native England, has played for Ireland U20s in the Six Nations and World Cup, and plied his trade in the All Ireland League with Queen’s before moving to Instonians in the summer.
The 21-year-old had come off the bench in Ulster’s three United Rugby Championship games and relished his full, debut especially in European competition.
“It was my first start, it was exciting,” he said. “Richie told me early on in the week that I'd be starting. I was nervous, but that preparation we got and preparing in the week is very important and vital.
“Coming away to teams like this and obviously the flight over and stuff like that – we were in an airport for 11 hours – it was a struggle. But backs against the wall, the lads done well and came out with a bonus point.”
The hooker was happy that Ulster were able to score late and secure the vital bonus point.
“I think we probably struggle with emotional energy sometimes coming out and thinking maybe the job's done,” Walker added. “I think it is very important just staying on top of teams and putting the foot on the throat as Richie would say.
“I think we probably do struggle with that. It's just a line going forwards, especially going away to South Africa.
“If we score early, keep on top of teams, you can put them to bed early and there's no struggle and stress for the fans in the end.”
Walker wants more starts in the white shirt and would relish having a crack at the Bulls and Stormers front rows over the next couple of weeks.
“I’m just taking it as it is. Tom Stewart is a very good player so it's learning off him and Rob (Herring) and James McCormick. I think it's very important to not get ahead of myself, really. If they want to play me, they want to play me.
“It'll be exciting to go away with the lads for two weeks to South Africa, hopefully we get some good lads back and playing. It'll be a struggle out there, but hopefully we score early and stay on it.”
Explaining how he ultimately settled on Belfast, Walker added: “I’m Irish qualified, I got in touch with Kevin Maggs and he said come and do an IQ tour around Ireland. I played at Ulster and Leinster, from there I did Ireland clubs then they wanted me to do a camp.
"I did schools and clubs and eventually I got offers from Ulster and Connacht and chose Ulster.”