Simon will see his specialist in February and a decision about his future playing career will be made then.

Are you missing rugby?

I am missing being involved, as the new competition comes along I suppose I am missing the buzz of being in Dublin and building up to another 6 Nations campaign.  I guess in some ways it has been nice to have a bit of time to myself, but the longer it goes on the more it seems less like a short term injury and more like a long term, but, I am getting used to it now. It’s just a matter of bidding my time and hoping that everything goes well.  

Are you still in touch with the Ulster boys much?

I see them about once a week, I don’t go in to training overly often, and I don’t want to be around a lot or be in the way until I know exactly what’s happening in the next few weeks and months.

Is it hard to watch Ulster and not be involved?

It is and particularly this year when things haven’t been going too well, it has been frustrating as all I can do is watch and I can’t really help them out, that is the biggest frustration.

I know they are going to turn it round, with Matt Williams arriving in I just know the guys will rise to the challenge.

What do you think Matt Williams will bring to Ulster?

I worked Matt for a few years with Ireland A and have always been very impressed by him, he is a very personable and outgoing guy and very vocal in training. That is what we need, someone to come in with confidence and inspire the guys to show what they actually can do because I very much believe it is a confidence thing, the talent is very much there and we have all seen that in games in the past. I think Matt will come in and bring that with him and everyone needs to get behind him and help him out in the next couple of months.

Do you think he will make a lot of changes when he comes over?

I think from his brief time over  earlier this month he has seen a lot of the guys, watched a couple of the games and I think he will have an idea of who is performing at the minute and who maybe needs more encouragement. I don’t think he will do anything drastic but I think he will see how things go and try and improve and bring a bit of confidence in.  But he has already instilled some more belief in the guys based on the last two performances.

Do you believe Ulster can climb up the Magners League in the remaining nine games?

Absolutely! I think the game against the Dragons (15^th February, Ravenhill) in two weeks time is a big chance to really set our stall out for the second part of the season. We have got 6 home games left to play and I hope that everyone comes out and supports the guys and really gets behind them because all it will take is a couple of wins and suddenly we will see the real Ulster team come through and the real talent that the guys have will shine again. After that the big target is to make sure we finish above Connacht and ensure we are safe in Europe next year and I think that is very realistic.

You must be very pleased for Rory getting to start against Italy this weekend?

It is has been a difficult season for Rory, given that he has been thrown in at the deep end in terms of Captaincy and the team haven’t done well but the one thing from his perspective and something that I am really getting behind him on is that he is playing well and has right throughout the season, following on from the disappointment of the RWC his own game hasn’t suffered.  Sometimes the press and supporters throughout Ireland don’t tend to concentrate on individual players when the team isn’t doing well and I think it is great that the Irish Management have recognised that Rory has been playing well in an Ulster team that maybe hasn’t been playing well. It is the right selection and I never thought there was a doubt about that and I am not just saying that as his brother.

Following on from a disappointing RWC what are your hopes for Ireland for the 6Nations?

I think it’s a big chance for a lot o f the players to step up again, it was a very disappointing World Cup and not too many of the guys can put a finger on one reason why it was so disappointing and I think from that perspective the whole squad including management will be wanting to put the Rugby World Cup behind them and get on with the 6 Nations. It is almost a position that Ireland like, not being rated going into a tournament and the way the fixtures have fallen with three home games and the opening game against Italy I hope we can get off to a good start and get some momentum. France have made a lot of changes and if we can get a couple of wins under our belt there will be a whole different attitude to Irish Rugby.