Ireland ace Iain Henderson is frustrated that Ulster’s 2012 Heineken Cup final appearance is still regarded as their major highlight of the last decade.
The second row made his Ulster debut in April 2012, just weeks before the province played in that season’s European decider at Twickenham, losing heavily to Leinster.
Henderson wasn’t in the matchday squad and is unhappy that, despite coming close to at least emulating that achievement, Ulster haven’t got there.
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Leinster, meanwhile, have four victories in the competition since the last time Ulster were European champions.
“That’s something that people still talk about at Ulster but for me, that’s incredibly frustrating because we didn’t win
anything,” the 30-year-old said of the 2012 run.
“That’s one of the biggest things in my time playing, that’s one of the high points.”
Henderson was speaking at the launch of the new BKT URC season earlier this week, where Leinster’s Josh van der Flier was among the other players present.
“It’s frustrating seeing Josh walk around with all of the stars over his badge,” admitted the Ulster skipper. But he claims that Ulster’s young guns coming back with a chip on their shoulder could be the final piece in the jigsaw for the province.
Last season they were just moments away from beating Toulouse in the Champions Cup quarter-finals and lost to the Sharks in the URC semis in Cape Town, despite having the lead at the 80 minute mark against 14 men.
The fact remains it was 2009 when Ulster conquered Europe for the only time and 2006 when they won the PRO14 title.
“We’ve been getting better and better each season,” said Henderson. “We’ve been there or thereabouts the last couple of seasons.
“Probably in 2019/20 Leinster did do a bit of a job on us in a couple of games but it’s a continuous spectrum of everyone trying to get better.
“It’s how much quicker can you get better because everyone’s going to be improving.
“Something we’ve got to be mindful of is our younger guys. They’re incredible professionals and it’s ensuring that they have that continued desire to want to get better – guys like Mike Lowry, James Hume, Rob Baloucoune, Eric O’Sullivan, who is maybe a bit older but in that same bracket.
“It’s having those guys continually striving for the next step, not just being happy with last season but having almost a chip on your shoulder going forward.
“Last season, we could have beaten the Stormers in the regular season, then to come so close again. So in some ways, it’s comforting to know we’re there or thereabouts, we are able to do it.
“But finally crossing the line is the next step.”
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