Henderson 'rejuvenated' by 'exciting' Ulster side

Captain Iain Henderson says "there is no reason" this season cannot be "different" for Ulster after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign that does not "sit well" with him.

Ulster finished 14th in the United Rugby Championship last season, the lowest of the four Irish provinces, to miss out on Champions Cup rugby for the first time in the history of Europe's premier competition.

However, ahead of their URC opener at home to Dragons on Friday, Henderson said he feels the squad are well equipped to right the wrongs of last year after a productive pre-season.

"A lot of players will carry that [last year] as a bit of a chip on their shoulder," said the Ireland second row.

"We have five huge games in the first block, we know we have had issues in the past and there will be issues this year, but I'm excited about how this team bounces back from them."

There have been a number of new additions to the coaching and playing staff for Ulster ahead of the new campaign as they aim to muscle their way back into the top eight.

Juarno Augustus has been signed from Northampton while Australia prop Angus Bell will join the squad after the autumn internationals.

Mark Sexton has arrived as attack coach, with Willie Faloon now in permanent charge of the defence.

Henderson is enthused by the impact Augustus and Sexton have already had and believes the team are already in a better shape to compete with younger players now having a tough year of senior rugby under their belts.

"Mark Sexton has been working wonders with our attack, it feels fresh and new," added the 33-year-old.

"A handful of older guys leaving last year have lifted the ceiling of those young guys who have been stepping into shoes and there are a couple of new players kicking around, I can't wait to see them cause a bit of disruption.

"Watching him [Augustus] in training, there's no doubt in my mind he is going to cause a bit of damage and that is exciting.

"There is so much there to cause excitement and the excitement they [young players] bring rejuvenates me, I feel like my body has been brilliant in pre-season and I want to be part of this new Ulster coming through with the freshness I feel."

Ulster edged past Dragons 34-30 at Rodney Parade last season, but Henderson added that both teams' summer business means Friday's game at the Affidea Stadium will be a different proposition.

"They caused us loads of issues over there last year, but they have signed a heap of new players and will be a different team and how we have progressed in pre-season, we are a different team to last year."