Ulster head coach Dan McFarland is aware of effectively the large problem that awaits his aspect in South Africa over the subsequent fortnight.
After handily beating the Ospreys on Saturday night, the northern province depart for Johannesburg tomorrow forward of video games towards the Lions on Saturday and Sharks the next week.
Three of Ulster’s seven home losses final 12 months got here within the nation and McFarland admits his aspect know what’s ready on the opposite finish of the lengthy flight.
“We all know what it’s like,” he stated with the good thing about final season’s journeys.
“It’s not a shock to us. You’ve seen with the South African groups coming right here, it’s not a shock for them. They’ve been completely dominant.
“Examine that to what occurred (at the beginning) final 12 months, the Bulls have been shedding by 30 factors and have been finalists by the top of the season. The South Africans beginning so sturdy tells you one thing about what we face within the league this 12 months. The usual of the URC is getting stronger and stronger. The South African groups are going to actually check us.
“They appear to have the ability to play their first groups week in, week out. They don’t actually change.
“The Sharks may have a number of Check gamers coming again in, the Stormers have a number of, however the Bulls don’t have many, the Lions don’t have many Check gamers. Week in, week out, they’re rolling out their first groups and so they’ve been fairly spectacular.”
Additionally in South Africa, Rising Eire defeated the Cheetahs 21-14 of their closing tour match yesterday.