ULSTER HAD SAND kicked in their face last season as Leinster defeated them in a cup final for the second season running.
The Ulstermen took to Portstewart Beach this week as part of a gruelling preseason that you would not wish upon your worst enemy.
Iain Henderson, Paddy Jackson and Peter Nelson were among the Ulster squad to undertake punishing shuttle runs up sand dunes at the Antrim beach. The warm-down consisted of relay races carrying hefty sandbags.
The preseason friendlies, with Leinster first up on 23 August, can’t come quick enough.
Check out the best images here:
All pictures courtesy of Ulster Rugby