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Ulster will be targeted after their good run, says Muller

EXPERIENCED ULSTER lock Johann Muller expects teams to target them this year because of their run to the Heineken Cup final last…

Tue Aug 21 2012 - 01:00

EXPERIENCED ULSTER lock Johann Muller expects teams to target them this year because of their run to the Heineken Cup final last season.

The Springbok says Ulster will be a marked outfit this season but he feels they will be able to handle the pressure.

“There is a lot of expectation, from us as players and probably from the public as well. Teams will probably try and come out this year and have a go at us,” said the 2007 World Cup winner.

But the 32-year-old believes they will be able to build on last year and is pleased with the way pre-season has gone, with a first ever win on French soil against Bayonne being followed by a 14-14 draw with Leicester at the weekend.

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“We are excited and we are looking forward to the season. It is always tough to back a good season with another one but we know what’s lying ahead and how tough it is going to be.

“We have worked really, really hard in the off season and a lot of the young guys have put their hands up and showed they want to play for this team this year,” added Muller, who is heading into his third season with Ulster.

Muller said that Mark Anscombe has settled in quickly at Ravenhill and he has enjoyed working with the New Zealander so far.

“He has challenged us and I think that’s a great thing from a player’s point of view. We have got to take it to the next level if we want to be successful and win something and if we want to get to the same heights as we did last year,” added Muller.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood believes the emergence of promising young players such as Robbie Henshaw will form the bedrock for the side in the future.

Henshaw, a Connacht schools winner with Marist College in Athlone in March, scored a try in his debut against Harlequins on Saturday afternoon and Elwood believes he can go a long way.

And the teenager had to make a mad dash in order to make the starting blocks at The Stoop on Saturday.

“He had his school graduation the night before and only flew over that day. We had to start him as Kyle Tonetti tweaked an injury but Robbie settled in straight away and didn’t look out of place against a near full strength Quins side.

“He shows the sort of fella he is and the sort of players that are now coming through the schools and clubs and into the academy and that can only augur well for the future.

“There is an abundance of young players coming through and they will get their chance. That in turn will keep the pressure on everyone else but I was delighted for Robbie on Saturday and hopefully he can push on from there,” added Elwood, whose side open their RaboDirect PRO12 campaign at home to Cardiff Blues on Saturday week.