Ulster head coach Dan McFarland believes James Hume is showing all the hallmarks and instincts of a “world class” defender at outside centre.
Hume scored a try and produced an MVP display in Friday night’s thumping 36-17 win over Munster in a one-sided URC quarter-final at the Kingspan Stadium.
The 23-year-old also played a key role in Ulster’s four other tries by John Cooney, on his 100th appearance, Nick Timoney and Stewart Moore who bagged a brace.
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But while Hume caught the eye in attack, McFarland hailed his player’s defensive qualities which he now believes are on a par with the best No13s in the world.
“We all know what his footwork is like and his ability to beat defenders is excellent,” said McFarland. “He is so strong on the ball and he’s got really good acceleration.
“But his defence is world class and I don’t say that very often. It is world class as an outside centre (which) is one of the most difficult positions to defend on the pitch.
“Don’t get me wrong, he still makes mistakes because he’s a young fella, but in terms of his ability to make plays out there, it is really excellent.”
McFarland revealed Hume has been working on his “distribution skills and ability to move the ball” and those attributes came to the fore for Ulster’s stunning second try.
A flowing move involving Stuart McCloskey, Hume, Moore and Ethan McIlroy ended up with Moore racing over, but it was Hume’s quick hands that unlocked the door.
“We’ve got countless wingers with pace out there and we need to get the ball to them,” said McFarland. “Other teams know that and they want to shut down the space.
“It needs the ability to move the ball. That try was off the back of a series of really good passes but his was the critical one.”
Reflecting on Moore’s try afterwards, Hume said: “It was really exciting and the try that Stu Moore scored off the line-out, just watching it after giving the pass, was class.
“It kind of summed up the whole game. Yeah, it was an absolute pleasure. We sometimes hide away in big games like that and go more to a kicking game.
“But to see us play the way we did was great. Loved it.”
With a trip to either the Stormers or Edinburgh awaiting Ulster in next week’s semi-finals, Hume was asked if the province can go all the way in the competition.
“Our goal at the start of the season was to go and win the URC and Heineken Cup,” he said. “Obviously we were knocked out of the Heineken Cup, so our sole focus now is on the URC.
“I do believe we can go on and win it but nobody has said ‘let’s go on and win this thing’. Next week isn’t a final so we’ll just take it as it comes.”
Hume’s quick thinking from a close range penalty sent Cooney racing over for the opening try, before Moore’s scintillating effort made it 14-7.
A Hume pass sent Moore over for his second try of the night before he linked up with Stuart McCloskey to make a midfield break to tee up Timoney’s try just after the break.
The barnstorming centre’s performance was rewarded by a try on the hour mark when he scrambled over after breaking through Munster's ragged defensive line 15 yards out.
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