Ulster promise "honest conversations" after winless start to season
Irish rugby club Ulster are still without a win in the United Rugby Championship. Hooker Tom Stewart admits his own performances have fallen short and says the squad must talk openly.
Belfast-based rugby union club Ulster have yet to win in the United Rugby Championship (URC, a league of clubs from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and South Africa) after three matches. Hooker Tom Stewart admits he is unhappy with his own form and says players and coaches need to have honest conversations.
Ulster lost to Edinburgh, then drew with Glasgow and Munster. Against Munster in Belfast the game ended 26-26, with Ulster having to fight back. Head coach Richie Murphy said he was "bitterly disappointed".
Stewart's self-criticism
Stewart captained the side against Glasgow and Munster in place of the injured Iain Henderson. He said he had not come to the party well enough and does not know whether the cause is his preparation or the mental side of the game. He intends to look into it and to watch back his intent in collisions and his process.
The 25-year-old won his seventh Ireland cap over the summer and scored a try against Japan. He believes the squad must hold honest conversations this week, among players and coaches, to establish where they stand.
What comes next
On Saturday at 15:15 BST, Ulster begin their Challenge Cup campaign (European second-tier club competition) away to Italian side Zebre. They then travel to South Africa for URC fixtures against the Bulls and Stormers.
Stewart said Ulster cannot shy away from their shortcomings. He conceded that after a game like this you do not want to watch it back, but that is where fixes are found. In his view, the hardest things to watch will prove the most useful going forward.
