POWERFUL CENTRE JUDE Postlethwaite has praised senior players and coaches at the province for helping the former Ireland U20s Grand Slam winner towards gaining regular gametime at the province.
Part of the next generation of players being brought through by former Irish U20s coach Richie Murphy, Postlethwaite has already been on this season’s Emerging Ireland tour – alongside the now capped Cormac Izuchukwu, Sam Prendergast and Gus McCarthy – and tonight plays his fifth Ulster game of the season when URC leaders Leinster visit Belfast.
“I’ve got a lot more game time than last year which is good and just getting that experience from playing with Stu (Stuart McCloskey) just helps a lot,” says the 22-year-old.
“He and Dumer (James Hume, currently injured) especially; if I have any questions, they’re happy enough to give me detailed answers and they’re definitely a support system.”
This evening, Postlethwaite, at inside centre, also gets to play alongside long-time friend Ben Carson in Ulster’s midfield, the first time the pair have started together in the professional game, the previous occasion they wore the number 12 and 13 shirts being in March 2022 when Ireland U20s secured their Slam.
“We support each other,” he says of Carson, the pair first having encountered each other at mini rugby level with the Lisburn club outside Belfast.
“We chat all the time and we both want the best for each other.”
Postlethwaite, who has previously featured for Ireland at Sevens, has special praise for Ulster assistant coach Dan Soper who he first encountered when the Kiwi was in a teaching and coaching role at Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
“He was my teacher, and I was scared of him,” laughs former RBAI pupil Postlethwaite, “but now we get on really well and he has been massive.
“He brings out the confident side in me, backing myself, backing my abilities, he would just reassure me to be confident and play my game.”
Defence coach Jonny Bell has also been working closely with the Ulster centre who can play both 12 and 13.
“He’s (Bell) been a great help in my defensive side of the game.”
Elaborating on being able to flit between inside and outside centre, he continues: “In defence you have to be more agile and on your toes at 13 making reads and stuff and at 12 you’re a bit more physical with dominant tackles.
“Look at the likes of Bundee (Aki) and how good they are defensively and in attack, threats both sides of the ball but that’s what you have to strive to be.”
Guys for charity give the political bitching a break
You must be new to commenting on The Journal Jerry. This happens on every single article
Clew Bay looks fantastic in those pictures. Home of Grace O’Malley, the pirate queen. All the cool people are from Mayo.
Yeah ..and so are all the knackers….
Cant be that great if theyve all moved to dublin or abroad!
Trap is a fit chap for his age, but the other amadan
Ah jasus, give it a break
Jaysus,
Jasus?
It’s a charity trek an exercise that’s better than reading comments made by those with seemingly large chips on their shoulders yis troglodytes
If this was in Italy Slivo would have had a Bonga Bonga party at the top. Tarp must have been disappoint when he saw the church.
Great photo op…the irish jersey with kenny on back was simply the cheese, on top. Anyone actually seen kenny at a soccer match? Uh christ
Fair play… Looked like good craic.. Wish I was there for it!
Kenny seems to be doing more than rubber lip Biffo did!
Country in crisis economy in meltdown so climb a f*****g hill? Great strategy.
Its better than getting a helicopter to the top.
It was for five worthy causes howard?
Great pics! Shocking amount of whingebags in here… Next year hopefully we see Bono & Berlusconi climb the reek next year!! ;-)
Next year… :-/
Picture number 8 looks like they shrunk.
fair play Enda. You’ll never satisfy the professional wingers on journal.ie, and long may continue not to.
If im able to walk up da stairs at traps age I’ll be happy not 2 mind croagh Patrick
A lot of #PositiveIreland commentators from Ireland Inc here tonight. I’d like to join them by adding I’m Positively raging Enda didn’t fall down the side of the mountain, bang his head, and wake up a decent human being, ready to put his country first.
How does it go… If I give money to charity – I’m called a saint. If I ask why do we need charity – I’m called a communist. Bash away lads!
Pic no 9 – the good, the bad and the ugly.
old geezers out of touch hug on top of a mountain
What a pair of shams!
Be careful GED all the hypocrites are out today!
The only two people in the world I’ve got no idea what the heck they are talking about.
The photos in this article are crying out for a meme
Quite like Indas facist Musolini impersonation.