Ulster’s James Hume highlights support from Dan Soper and Stuart McCloskey

The centre was coached at school by Dan Soper - now the pair have been reunited at Ulster, with the Kiwi in the role of Skills Coach at the Kingspan Stadium.

After an injury-hit start to his Ulster career, Hume has had a run of games at outside centre, scored his side’s only try in last weekend’s PRO14 final defeat by Leinster and believes his old teacher has been instrumental in his development.

“‘Sopes’ has been priceless, it’s the only way to describe him because he’s just there all the time, he’s just giving you that extra bit of motivation,” said Hume. “His attitude towards the team is awesome but obviously Mikey (Lowry) and I are in from school and we saw him every day and he’s been with us since fifth year.

“He just gives you that extra bit of motivation, he’s one of those guys in the set-up when you’re a young guy, specifically for me and Mikey, he can be honest with us.

“He can say what we’re doing wrong, how we can improve, he’s so happy to do extras with you after training, passing, kicking...anything.

“So ‘Sopes’ has been really probably the biggest influence to get me into professional rugby.

“He just keeps you going, even when you’re at your lows, he just finds a way to gee you back up there again.”

Hume is set to play his first European game on Sunday as Ulster travel to Toulouse in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final.

“I was speaking to Nick Timoney about it and he says it just hits differently because you’re standing in the tunnel and you hear the European Cup music, it’s a bit of an eye opener,” he said. “Obviously I’ve had the pleasure of watching some big European nights at Ulster.

“And they’ve looked like they’re unbelievable matches to be involved in.

“Unfortunately, I’ve been plagued with injuries and been injured for previous Champions Cup games.

“I’m really looking forward to this week and it’ll probably be another surreal experience playing away to such a big French team in the European Cup.”

Hume, 22, has been in the Ulster midfield with 28-year-old Stuart McCloskey for all four matches since the resumption of rugby last month.

“Despite the age gap we get on really well,” said Hume. “I’ve been with him every day, having good craic as well, so we’re on the pitch together, not afraid to talk to each other or say what we did wrong...all that kind of stuff.

“He’s an unbelievable player so I’m learning stuff off him every training session, every game and I see how much of an influence he has in games.

“Obviously the public see a lot of carries and tackles, but he does so much more than that.

“That’s something I can feed off him.

“He’s obviously extremely experienced in big games, so he’ll always say ‘same as last week, keep doing what you’re doing and I’ll be there to clean up any mess’.

“So we feed off each other really well and I’m enjoying that.”

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