Ulster’s Matty Rea grasping chance to repay Dan McFarland’s faith in him

Rea was man of the match in Ulster’s bonus point win over Benetton with some big carries ensuring his side had front foot ball.

“Dan talked to me and said I was there for a reason and he gave me those reasons and told me what he wanted from me,” he said.

“You need that honesty [and] for me personally I need that reassurance that your coach has faith in you and you deserve it more than else there.

“I relished it and really enjoyed it and took learning from it,” added Rea.

“I’m my own biggest critic and everybody is the same, you watch a game back and you know what you can improve on.

“I think it is about building on that and taking a step forward every week.”

A bonus point victory represented a good start to the season for Ulster but they face a tricky away trip on Saturday night at the Ospreys.

“[Against] Benetton, it was good we showed in patches some of the rugby we wanted to play and there are bits we are disappointed with letting them into the game.

“Fair play they are a quality side and they have definitely improved year on year and they are starting to push home and away.

“We were looking to play that sort of rugby, we pride ourselves on the speed of our game, whenever we get quick breakdown, the young guys they want quick ball and space so they can express themselves,” said Rea.

“We talked about that during the week the forwards giving them that platform and letting them go and do their thing.”

Dan McFarland’s side lost on their last trip to the Liberty Stadium in February and the Welsh region kicked off the season with an impressive away win at Edinburgh.

Rea said: “The last time we went there we didn’t show up at all and probably embarrassed ourselves a wee bit, we need to be on the ball both home and away this year and it is something that we have talked about as a group we just can’t be doing it at home.”

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