MAGNERS LEAGUE
Venue: Ravenhill Date: Friday, 29 October Kick-off: 1905 BST Coverage: Live on BBC Two NI and on BBC Sport website

Mark McCrea in pre-season action against Bath

Winger Mark McCrea is eager to repay the confidence shown in him by the Ulster coaches as the Irish province prepares to take on Munster in the Magners League on Friday night.

The 23-year-old has made sporadic appearances since becoming part of the professional set-up at Ravenhill in 2008 and wants to make the most of his latest opportunity to impress.

"It's frustrating when you are not playing but that's rugby - sometimes you get picked, sometimes you don't, and you just have to wait for your chance and then take it.

"When the team is doing well and winning it's hard to break into the squad, and there is so much competition for places now," said the former Irish Schools' international.

McCrea made his first start of the season against Edinburgh at Murrayfield, with the hosts emerging 21-16 victors.

"The feeling around the squad is that we let ourselves down against Edinburgh as we didn't play the way we wanted to.

"We were disappointed with our performance and want to get back to winning ways.

"The main problem was that we were making too many elementary errors and we have been working on trying to eliminate those this week.

"When you play a team like Munster you have to take the scoring opportunities that come your way or you are going to be struggling to get the win.

"There is always an added incentive with an Irish interprovincial match and the opportunity has opened up for me and some of the other guys with five players away on Ireland duty."

Back row forward Robbie Diack agreed that Ulster "should have put in a better performance against Edinburgh".

"The good thing about playing in successive weeks is that we have the chance to right those mistakes, but Munster have great depth in their squad and will be a really tough proposition.

"Confidence is still high in the squad after our good early season run, but we must eradicate unforced errors - we have been talking a lot about that.

"Personally, I feel that my performances have been improving as I have got more gametime but it is all about the team winning.

"Despite not having the Ireland players this week, we still have plenty of experience in the team, and it gives some of the younger players the chance to put their hand up and show that they can play at this level," argued the South African.

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