Stuart McCloskey is backing young centre partner James Hume to shine on Ulster ’s return to competitive action against Connacht at The Aviva tomorrow.
Hume, who has amassed 16 caps since making his debut in 2018, has been named at No13 as Dan McFarland’s men plot a route towards the semi-finals of the Pro14.
The province need just two points from tomorrow’s showdown and next week’s clash with Leinster at the same venue to seal a berth in the last-four.
On Hume, who has impressed in Ulster ’s return to training, McCloskey said: “James is so powerful and so athletic - he's everything you want in a centre.
“He's still refining that and he's showed it last year in glimpses but in the last seven or eight weeks of training it feels like he's really improved.”
McCloskey told reporters earlier this week that Hume and fellow young centre Stewart Moore have been “class” during Ulster’s return to the training paddock
“It has been great having them in training the last few weeks,” he said. “They offer that bit of youthful exuberance that me and Lukey (Marshall) are probably lacking these days.
“Stewart is that Henry Slade sort of player where he can bounce out of tackles with his sidesteps and bouncing out of tackles. It's really pushing me and Lukey on.”
Meanwhile, McCloskey hopes Ulster’s class of 2020 goes on to graduate into serial winners.
The long serving centre, who has chalked up 120 caps for the province, believes McFarland’s team is possibly the best he has starred in at the Kingspan.
But the 28-year-old accepts trite soundbites about progress and forward steps are meaningless until Ulster get across the line in big competitions.
It is now 16 years and counting since the province last lifted silverware - the 2004 Celtic Cup - while it is seven years since they last graced a final.
“I was speaking to Jack (McGrath) and he was asking how this team compares to the other teams that I've been in,” he said.
“I said it was probably the best, if not very close. We do a lot things well and it's probably the most cohesive we've been as a group.”
A Pro14 semi lies in wait leading to a potential Pro14 final on September 12, while a European last-eight tie in Toulouse looms large on September 20.
Asked how eager he is to break new ground with Ulster in the weeks ahead, McCloskey said: “Dan's thing is consistently competing for championships. I think we’re a better team than we were last year, but it's about taking the next step.”
Summer signings Ian Madigan and Alby Mathewson are set to make their debuts from the bench.
Ulster squad
ULSTER : Stockdale, Gilroy, Hume, McCloskey, Ludik, Burns, Cooney; McGrath, Herring, Moore, O’Connor, Treadwell, Timoney, Murphy, Coetzee.
REPLACEMENTS : McBurney, O’Sullivan, O’Toole, Carter, Rea, Mathewson, Madigan, Lowry.
