Jordi Murphy is eager to help Ulster end a five year wait for an Interpro win on the road when Dan McFarland’s men tee off against Connacht in Galway on Sunday.
The northern province has gone 1,827 days and 16 games without a win over any of their three Irish rivals on southern soil in the Pro14 and Champions Cup.
The last time Ulster secured an away Interpro victory was in a narrow 10-3 win over Connacht at the Sportsgrounds on Boxing Day, 2015.
Les Kiss was head coach, Nick Williams bulldozed over for the decisive try and Ruan Pienaar and Andrew Trimble were in the starting line-up.
“It’s definitely something we want to put right as a group,” said Murphy ahead of tomorrow’s festive showdown.
“Unfortunately, we were shown a stat this week where it’s been quite a long time since we won an away Interpro. 2015, I believe.
“It’s quite tribal down there and obviously there won’t be any crowds, but it’s a bit of a fortress for them and they definitely earmark these games around Christmas.
“We’ll have to have our A-game because I’ve been down there a few times and come out on the wrong side of it and it’s not a great feeling.
“It can make or break your Christmas. You have to try and get out of there with a win because when you do, they’re pretty special.”
Ulster, who lie top of Conference A after an eight game winning streak at the start of the Pro14, lost their last outing with Connacht at The Aviva back in August.
That 26-20 loss in the first post-lockdown fixture of 2020 preceded two defeats to Leinster, also at The Aviva, the second a 27-5 reverse in the Pro14 final in September.
“The post-lockdown Interpros were obviously disappointing,” said Murphy. “We didn’t come out and play the way we wanted to and that showed in the results.
“But look it’s been a long time since then, we’ve had a good few wins in the league and reviewing those old games I think we’ve improved a lot as a team.
“I think you’ll see a different side to us the next few weeks.”
While Ulster are enjoying their best winning start to the Pro14 since 2012, McFarland’s men are looking to bounce back from two defeats in the Champions Cup.
A loss to French giants Toulouse in Belfast was followed by a painful, last gasp away loss to Gloucester at Kingsholm seven days ago.
“That was one the worst ones (losses) I’ve had and the changing room after was a pretty down place to be, but it’s definitely one we can bounce back from,” said Murphy.
