Denied a player of the match award by Lawrence Dallaglio despite running in a hat-trick of tries, Cormac Izuchukwu took it all in his stride.
The versatile forward has been one of Ulster's shining lights in a difficult period of rebuilding, and his form over the last year was rewarded with a first Ireland cap against Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series.
After three disheartening Champions Cup losses, Ulster came good in the second half against Exeter on Friday night, with Izuchukwu crossing three times in total.
Just prior to the Offaly man’s third try in the 78th minute, 2003 World Cup winner Dallaglio had given prop Scott Wilson his man of the match nod.
"That’s what happens, eh," smiled Izuchukwu when he was standing beside, almost dwarfing, the former England back row on Premier Sports after the game.
Despite the 52-24 scoreline ultimately being enough to take Richie Murphy’s side into the round of 16, where they will face top-seed Bordeaux away, the quality of opposition has to be taken into account and no one at Ulster is getting carried away.
Still, Izuchukwu’s performance was noteworthy.
Deployed on the flank for most of the early season, and starting there for his Ireland cap, Murphy has switched the 24-year-old to the second row for their last three matches.
A hat-trick to cap off a great week 👏☘️
— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) January 18, 2025
Cormac Izuchukwu's back in the @IrishRugby squad, and get's across the try line three times in @UlsterRugby’s #InvestecChampionsCup Friday night clash 😮💨
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"I'd probably say 6, to be fair, but I love second row, too," said the former Sevens international, who stands 6ft 7in, and weighs in over 18 stone, when pushed to reveal his preference.
"He'll play where he's told," joked Murphy.
Against the Chiefs, Izuchukwu had 14 carries and gained 55 metres, made 12 tackles and was a constant lineout nuisance against the throw.
The value of qualifying and playing away to a Bordeaux outfit that put 40 points on Ulster in Belfast earlier this season can be debated but Izuchukwu, and Ireland can only benefit from the step up in class in Europe’s top club competition.
"It’s massive, for me really, as a forward, in terms of the actual size of the pack you are coming up against, it’s tough," said the Tullamore man, currently competing with Josh van de Flier, Peter O'Mahony, Ryan Baird, Tadhg Berine, Cian Prendergast, and Caelan Doris for a spot in the Ireland back row.
Murphy, too, was adamant that his callow side can only learn from tough games.
"We want to play at the very top because you want to test yourself against the best," he said.
"The young lads that have played in the Champions Cup this year: Jude Postlewaithe, 22, Ben Carson [22], they’d never played at his level before.
"They are playing week in, week out because of injuries to other players. Jack [Murphy] is 20 years of age, Nathan Doak [23], Scotty Wilson, [22]-year-old tighthead playing in Toulouse, Bordeaux, playing here, it’s great experience for them."
Speaking after Sharks' 66-12 defeat to Bordeaux on Sunday, Murphy added: "We’re delighted to still be in the Champions Cup.
"Bordeaux is obviously a very tough place to go but hopefully we’ll have a few key players back fit for it, and we’re ready to take on the challenge."
Ulster, ninth in the URC table, host Zebre on Sunday afternoon (5.30pm) without their Ireland contingent of Izuchukwu, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring and James McNabney.
Meanwhile, the province has announced that assistant coach Dan Soper, will take up a new role as development and transition coach at the end of the season.
Watch Dragons v Munster in the URC on Saturday from 7.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player; Watch Ulster v Zebre in the URC on Sunday from 5pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
