Richie Murphy’s Ulster are preparing for a must-win Irish derby against Munster on Saturday evening at Thomond Park. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Ciaran Donaghy
James McCormick is ready to step out of the shadow of international hookers Rob Herring and Tom Stewart to stake a claim for a regular spot in the Ulster matchday squad.
The 24-year-old Armagh front-rower has only made six appearances this season, all coming from the bench, but he is set to start Ulster’s must-win Irish derby against Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday evening as Richie Murphy’s side try to secure a top-eight finish in the URC and guarantee European Champions Cup rugby next season.
McCormick said: “I think naturally that happens to everyone as you get a bit older and you’re about here a bit longer. Now you’re eager to play, I want performances every week.
“Before I said I’d be happy enough to sit and learn, but now a year or so on and you’re eager to play. They definitely are great to learn from, Rob (Herring) especially, he helps me out, gives me bits here and there.
“I think they’ve both been playing really well this year, so it’s being patient, when you get your opportunities now, if there is an injury, you can go in and show the coaches what you’ve got.”
McCormick praised outgoing Ulster coach Jimmy Duffy for the influence he has had on his career.
“Jimmy’s been massive for me, I had him in the 20s (Irish U20s). When I first came across him, I really like the way he coaches and how he speaks to people and gets his points across. “He’s a good person as well, outside of rugby, off the pitch.”
“He’s been big for me. When he came in here, I was really happy to see that, he’s still a good voice, a good person to talk to and get advice from.
“It’s going through… very individual stuff for me, in my position, what my work-ons have been for the last 12 months, he’s a good motivator.
“He can push the right buttons at the right times, he leads you to it, he gives you a clear objective of what you want to struggle with. If you get the work in, you usually get the rewards at the end of it.”
McCormick also hailed the arrival of Bath’s Premiership and European Challenge Cup winner Niall Annett to the Ulster coaching ticket.
“Niall’s been great to be fair, since he’s come in,” he added. “At Bath, he’s played class players and he’s won lots there. He’s doing a lot with the hookers now. The throwing, and he’s been really good around scrum stuff as well.
“I’m really glad he’s in around the building, he’s been there and done it.
“It’s another voice to have, to ask advice from. He’s more than happy to help, he brings good energy. Obviously, once they’re front row, they always pride themselves on how powerful they are up front.”
McCormick knows Ulster must start better in Thomond Park than they did in last week’s defeat against Leinster.
“We need to lift it, it’s going to blitz through the first half,” he said. “We didn’t put our game onto them, then we came out in the second half and we had some good bits in that.
“It’s a very clear plan this week, as it is every week. We know what we need to do, it’s on us players now to put that out there from the start on Saturday.
“Munster’s going to be tough, but we have to go out there and embrace it, meet them and try and do one better than them.
“We have got to be up for it physically and bring it to them, because if you don’t, they can punish you because they’re a good team.”