Sean Reidy underlines the need for a more clinical Ulster as Pro14 season gets underway at Kingspan Stadium

However, Dan McFarland’s squad haven’t much time to reflect on what might have been as just 10 days after defeat in Toulouse ended last season the new one begins on Friday evening with a Pro14 clash against Benetton at home.

Flanker Sean Reidy’s take away from the Pro14 final and European Cup quarter final defeats from last term is Ulster must be clinical against the top sides

“It’s those big games, you just want to be constantly playing in them, there were definitely opportunities in the final and quarter-final where we maybe came up short, but there’s only so much you can say,” he said.

“In those big moments we’ve just got to turn up, we’ve got a young squad, guys keep learning so I think we can do that.

“Leanings? I think it’s just taking opportunities, they come around quite often in games and if you don’t take them, you might only get two or three a game and if you don’t take them, you’re in for a long run.”

With the early months of the season coinciding with six Ireland international matches, Reidy wants Ulster to get off to a flyer.

“I’ve actually had a bit of reflection this week and it’s important to get off to a good start, when that backend of the season comes you can rely on the hard work and the graft that you put in these first five or six weeks.

“We have to try and accumulate those points, so it’s critical we get off to a good start and no better place than here at home, with crowds or without crowds, we’re just raring to go.

“I feel like a few guys feel they’ve got a little bit to get off their chest, a little bit to prove.”

Reidy has been capped twice by Ireland and still harbours ambitions of putting on the green shirt.

“Yeah, without a doubt, everyone wants to play international, I believe in the past I’ve been playing fairly well and got unlucky on a few occasions.

“I’d chomp at the bit to get another opportunity to throw that jersey on and add to my two caps, because I’ve only really come off the bench for those couple of games.

“But there’s a lot of talent around Ireland at the moment, especially in the back row with a lot of young guys coming forward, so I’ve just to focus on what I can do well here for Ulster.”

Marcell Coetzee returns to the back row after missing the trip to Toulouse with a hamstring problem, Irish U20’s captain David McCann is set to make his debut from the bench. Stewart Moore earns a first start in the centre.