Ulster 'A' seeking strong finish to Celtic Cup: Bruce Houston

Kieran Campbell’s side lost their opening two games but have found form with wins over Cardiff and the Dragons however with Leinster and Munster both on 19 points Pool 1 Ulster are but mathematically out of the competition.

Ulster are on the road tonight at the Ospreys and Houston wants a third consecutive win.

“The start wasn’t as good as we though but the last two games we have pulled ourselves together and we have made a pretty good job of things, going away to the Ospreys this week will be a hard task but we have prepared pretty well,” said Houston.

“I think the players knew what they had to do themselves and they felt that we didn’t deliver as well as we could have, it’s down to the players the coaches have prepared us the best we could and I think we have prepared a lot better.”

“We have talked all week about finishing on a high although the competition is maybe away from us we want to focus on ourselves, we have a lot of pride in this team and we want to build on the performances.”

“We have seen the odd footage of the Ospreys, we know they are a pretty deadly team that play with a lot of pace and they are going to be a hard task.”

Houston has enjoyed playing in the new competition.

“The challenge is a real kind of step up and for myself you realise the game changes and everything has to be done that split second faster it’s been a great learning curve.”

“I had kind of trained with them during the summer and it was great to get a feel of how they play the game then there was the integration of a couple of senior guys who came down and join the team and that makes it a little bit more powerful.”

“I have learned loads of them I’ve been lucky enough to have a little bit of experience with Billy Burns and other guys and learning of them is incredible.”

Houston will play for Ballymena in the AIL once the Celtic Cup is over.

“I would image we’ll just go back to our club and focus on the AIL, a few guys like myself will be hoping for Irish U20’s, Ballymena will always be my home club and I’m really excited to get back and it will be a good challenge.”

Rodney Ah You and Clive Ross both start in the pack.