Rob Lyttle calls for Ulster to ‘step up’ ahead of trophy bid in Dublin

Lyttle was still in primary school when Ulster won at the Liberty Stadium to clinch the Celtic League title 14 years ago.

The Ulster back line that night against the Ospreys featured the likes of Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble and David Humpheys.

Since that night in Swansea, a generation of Ulster players have missed out on a winner’s medal.

Now Lyttle is hoping he can emulate one of his heroes by getting his hands on silverware against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow night.

“When I was growing up, all I wanted to be was Andrew Trimble, so if I can go out and replicate it then I’ll be more than happy, those guys definitely inspired me,” said Lyttle. “I’ve probably been thinking about lifting the trophy since I made my debut for Ulster, it’s not something I’m going to start thinking about just this week.

“It’s obviously very exciting, the prospect of potentially lifting the PRO14 and it’s definitely something that’ll spur me on to give the best to the team.

“I think it’s safe to say I’m sick of hearing about when Ulster last won silverware, so it’s time we stepped up and won it ourselves.”

Leinster have won every game played this season in the PRO14 and Europe, with odds as short as 1/6 to retain the trophy - but Lyttle accepts a final is all about the one-off occasion.

“You know what you’re going to get when you play Leinster, they’re the best team in the league for a reason,” he said. “It’s no different than what our task was then (2006) so we need to be at our best.

“If we bring our best and we don’t get the result then so be it, but if we put out our best performance then I don’t see why we can’t be there or thereabouts.”

“We try not to focus too much on Leinster.

“It’s very clear they are the favourites, they haven’t lost a game, we’re not going down to lose, we’re going down to win.”

Lyttle believes the absence of a crowd in the Aviva Stadium will not have any effect on the outcome.

“It’s been strange now without a crowd, you score a try or there’s a big turnover and it’s deathly quiet,” said Lyttle. “I don’t think it will really affect the game at the weekend.

“I don’t think it will matter because there’s 30,000 or zero people there - Leinster are still Leinster.”