Duo readyto standup for the Ulster men

THIS Saturday, Ulster take on rivals Leinster in the Heineken Cup Final, at Twickenham and duo Adam Bratton and Jim Galbraith will be there.

As for Galbraith he’s already looking forward to meeting up with some old friends and celebrating no matter who wins.

“I’m looking forward to it and win or lose it will still be a great occasion,” stated Galbraith, who goes to London with his son Barry.

“I think Ireland is going to take over London on Saturday and no matter the result it’s going to be a memorable occasion.

“My son rung me after the Munster game and said did I want to book a flight with him for the final and off course I told him to go ahead.

“Leinster is the number one team in Europe and we’ll need to step it up a gear, so it’s going to be difficult, but if we lose the first Leinster fan I see after the game I’ll shake his hand.

“I’m meeting up with Tommy Diver, who has been living in London for years and he rang me about getting some tickets for him, thankfully I was able to get my hands on a couple of tickets so he too is going to the game.”

Bratton like Galbraith booked his flight to London well before Brian McLaughlin’s men had clinched their place in the final.

“I decided to book my flight and order my tickets way back in December, because I have a friend in London and we both decided to go no matter who was in the final, but now that Ulster are there I can’t wait,” admitted Bratton.

“I go on Friday and come back on Monday, so hopefully I’ll have a few days celebrations. I feel Leinster are the favourites because they are a top quality side but I think the underdogs tag will suit Ulster.”

In 1999, Ulster defeated Colomiers at Lansdowne Road, but Bratton concedes he didn’t even watch the game, however this time around the City of Derry man is hoping that South African Ruan Pienaar will have his shooting boots on.

“To be honest I wasn’t into rugby that much back then and I probably was at Drumahoe watching my big brother (Stuart) playing for Institute that day.

“Pienaar has been brilliant for Ulster and his kicking especially against Munster was brilliant, hopefully that can continue at Twickenham.”

Bratton also remarked that he’s already looking forward to next season with City of Derry

“Bevan is going to be a hard act to follow because of what he has done for the club,” added Bratton.

“It’s going to be strange with Bevan not being there, but I don’t think much will change because Mark Nicholl has been working alongside Bevan for years.

“It will be interesting to see what Ashley Blair brings to the squad, he was in the Ulster squad whenever they won it in 1999, so I’m looking forward to working with him.”