Ulster high hopes for David McCann and next generation

With a congested season due to the late started cause by Covid and Ireland cramming six fixtures in before Christmas, the former flanker feels that Ulster will gave youth a chance when the new season kicks off against Benetton at Kingspan Stadium on Friday night.

McCann, a Schools’ Cup winner in 2017 with RBAI alongside Michael Lowry and James Hume, was part of the Ulster ‘A’ side that beat Leinster at the RDS last Friday. He’d also led Ireland U20s to three Six Nations wins out of three before the tournament was postponed.

“David’s certainly got the attributes, he’s done really well at Ireland 20s, led them well,” said Grant. “He’s still a young player, there’s things for him to work on, consistency, but that comes with age.

“Especially as a flanker, you want a lot of involvements, and the good players do and you want those involvements to be positive all of us know the best guys are the ones that do it consistently.

“You can’t get experience without experiences, you need to build it up, that will come but he’s certainly got the ability.

“He’s competitive, he’s got good footwork in attack, he’s co-ordinated, which sounds obvious but you look at him and you can tell he’s athletic and efficient.

“There’s a lot of aspects for him to work on but I’m really enjoying coaching him, he’s a really intelligent guy.”

As well as McCann, Grant feels there are other young players coming through.

“We’ll have a few guys involved from the ‘A’ game and it’s really important for any club to have that coming through,” said Grant. “To be sustainable, you need the Academy, guys from an area, from a region, with them being young, you hope that you have a lot of time with them and working with them to develop them further.

“Something that’s struck me with Ulster is the passion everyone has, the supporters, everyone loves the team, it’s a big part of people’s lives.

“It’s great seeing the young guys come through, it’s healthy for any club to have that and there’s a good bunch coming.

“It’s a great result for them at the weekend against Leinster.

“There’s a lot of good guys coming.”

Prop Gareth Milasinovich finally made his Ulster debut in the ‘A’ game against Leinster - signed from Worcester in the summer of 2019, the front row has suffered an injury and Grant was delighted to see him take the field.

“He did his ACL in his first or second training session with the club and he’s been out for a long time,” said Grant. “At a new club and a new environment, I’m sure it’s finally great for him, and great for us, to get doing what he’s here to do and what he wants to do.

“It was great to see him playing and involved for Ulster, he’s worked really hard to get back fit with the medical guys and the performance guys to get back out there playing, it’s great to see him on the pitch.

“Like everyone, the more he gets playing, the more training he does, will build that base, it’s pleasing for him and pleasing for us.”

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