Steven Kitshoff says the "honeymoon is over" as the new Ulster prop gets down to serious business.
The double World Cup winner, who joined up with the province after helping South Africa to lift the Webb Ellis Cup in October, has played three games with his new club, all of which ended in defeat.
Back-to-back URC losses to Glasgow and Edinburgh were followed up by last weekend's Investec Champions Cup defeat at Bath.
"I think the honeymoon phase was how friendly and welcoming the team was," said the 31-year-old.
"It was quite nerve wracking coming off a brilliant Stormers campaign, having success at the World Cup and then joining a brand-new team.
"I know [South Africa-born] Rob Herring from back in the day but that was about it.
"As I got here the first day, everyone was super friendly, super helpful, a good environment to work in and train in, great coaching. It was a blessing to be embraced like that.
"The honeymoon phase is over, it's about focusing on rugby and playing proper, decent rugby."
Dan McFarland’s side are already playing catch-up in Pool 1, sitting in fifth following the 37-14 reverse at the Rec (above).
They host Racing 92, under former Leinster senior coach Stuart Lancaster, in Belfast on Saturday night (8pm).
"I think it's been ups and downs," said the front row forward.
"We've had unbelievable starts to most of our games since I've been playing.
"Good first-halves, we've had teams under the pump and then costly mistakes and the scoreline ran away from us.
"We've identified the problems and we've seen the mistakes. It's about going to train it, execute, and try to be better week in, week out.
"We've a bit of work to do but today was an awesome training session and guys look fired up and really looking forward to Saturday."
Among the Racing 92 players Kitshoff could face this weekend are Springboks captain Siya Kolisi (above) and forward Trevor Nyakane.
"Getting a result this weekend wouldn't only boost us for the European Cup but also the URC," he said ahead of the visit of the Parisians, who lost 31-28 at home to Harlequins on Sunday.
"It will give us a massive mentality shift in a positive way and re-energise the group to take on the rest of the competition.
"I watched the Racing Harlequins game in really big detail over the weekend.
"I spent my Sunday night watching the game.
"Watching Siya that one game, he's a massive attacking threat when he gets the ball in hand, quite dangerous.
"Defensively he's solid, he's a threat at the breakdown. I haven't seen his lineout skills tested yet.
"Siya is an awesome player, Trevor Nyakane has been playing off the bench but I know he'll be involved this weekend.
"They're two massive South African ball carriers, brute-force players. If Siya has an on-day, we'll have our hands full."
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