Former Ulster coach Jared Payne says he can’t wait to try and get one over on his former side when he brings his Scarlets side to Ravenhill on Saturday evening.
The ex-British and Irish Lions star, who spent 11 years at Ulster firstly as a player and then as a coach, is now defence coach in Llanelli under another former Ulsterman in the shape of head coach Dwayne Peel.
It is a must-win game for both sides, with 14th-placed Ulster knowing they can ill-afford any more slip-ups in their bid for a top-eight spot while the Scarlets are aiming to consolidate the eighth place they currently hold.
And Payne is thrilled to be returning to the city he called home for over a decade, even if he does admit he won’t be taking things easy on them with how he sets up the Welsh side for the clash.
“It will be my first time on the visiting team. It will be good to go back, see a few old friends and obviously try and get one over on them as well,” says the New Zealand-born coach.
“(Ulster) have had their fair share of injuries this season, they are getting a few players back this week and, knowing a few of the guys who are stepping back into the fold, they are pretty competitive and will want to right the wrongs of the last few weeks. I am sure they are going to come out fighting on Saturday, they are going to be a dangerous team.
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“Kingspan is a tough place to go, the way the crowd gets behind the team, they get on top of you, they’re a passionate bunch and the weather can sometimes be a bit averse! They also have a bunch of good players there as well.”
Payne made the move to Wales after one season in France with Clermont Auvergne, initially joining as backs and attack coach but making the transition into defence coach – the same role he held with Ulster – this season.
Under his stewardship, the Scarlets possess the United Rugby Championship’s third stingiest defence, behind only Leinster and Glasgow Warriors, and are on track to reach the Play-Offs after finishing a lowly 13th last season.
Payne has been encouraged by the work they have done this season, admitting that the players have made his job a lot easier.
“It’s been good. Coaching is coaching, you give the boys a few things to work on and hold them accountable each day. We have made a few strides where we wanted to and players have got behind it. There have definitely been a few bumps along the way, but the players are showing a good attitude,” he adds.
“We have taken a few steps forward in areas and I’m happy with the way we are tracking. We are always looking to improve, we are chipping away, but there is still a lot of work to do.”