Number eight with a mission

Planes, trains and automobiles: every mode of transport will be utilised to shoehorn the entire population of Ulster into Lansdowne Road on January 30th, the day of reckoning rugby wise and an occasion that a nation hopes will provide a glorious end to a wonderful odyssey. Not so much Ulster expects but Ireland expects.

What started as an enterprising run of victories has captivated not only the traditional rugby base in Ulster, but a wider level of support within the province, a fact emphasised by the 20,000 that shook Ravenill to the rafters during their semi-final victory over Stade Francais. Their success has fired the imagination of sports lovers throughout the country.

They have united a country not just a province. The groundswell of support is a factor with which the Ulster players identify. Ulster number eight Tony McWhirter explains: "It may seem a bit trite but we are doing this for the whole country. The response we have received, not just from rugby supporters but from GAA fans and others, has been a great source of pride to the players.

"This is not political. There are Catholics and Protestants on the team, but we don't think in those terms. We are a close-knit family. This is about sport, about rugby: we are being proud to be Irish. When I have been travelling around the country playing with Ballymena in the All-Ireland League, whether it was after the Shannon, Clontarf or St Mary's games, the reception has been the same.

"Club presidents have come in to congratulate us on our victory and then gone on to wish all the Ulster players the very best in the European competition. How can you fail to be inspired by that level of support. The phone calls, faxes, telegrams and messages of support have been phenomenal."

In a team with a handful of high profile performers, the 23-year-old McWhirter's pedigree tends to be overlooked. Educated at Dalriada, the harsh disappointment of injury was to taint his career at school. An occasion that should have been the most momentous of a fledgling career turned to disaster when he shuffled from the field in an Ulster Schools Senior Cup final against Campbell College.

"I went up to gather a 22, took a hit and landed on my shoulder, dislocating the A/C joint and popping some ribs. I played on until halftime but couldn't go any further." Dalriada were beaten and McWhirter missed out on a place in the Irish Schools team.

It was a temporary setback. A decision, taken with his father, to go to Dundee University in Scotland in 1993 to study dentistry, is one which McWhirter cites as pivotal to his development off the pitch. "It helped me mature, away from home for five years, learning to cook, forced to make new friends. It helped me to grow up quicker.

"Rugby wasn't a concern but I got my career sorted out. It provided me with a profession to fall back on." At the time professionalism had not taken a form hold in rugby. During his tenure in Scotland, McWhirter returned to assume the captaincy of the Ireland under-21 side in 1995, leading them to a Triple Crown success under coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

"Those were great days playing alongside excellent players, many of whom have gone on to make the senior grade."

Malcolm O'Kelly, Eric Miller, Kieron Dawson, James Topping, Justin Bishop, Denis Hickie, Conor McGuinness and Dominic Crotty are just some of the names who progressed to senior honours.

Indeed it was a friendship which spawned at under-age level that helped McWhirter cope with a difficult time earlier this season. Miller's return to Ireland from Leicester and subsequent decision to declare for Ulster was to adversely affect the Ballymena man. "It was just before the Connacht match and I must admit that it was a hard pill to swallow. Harry (Williams) explained his decision - Miller played while McWhirter dropped to the bench - but it was still difficult after the result we achieved against Toulouse. But I put things in perspective. Eric was a close personal friend and a player of the highest calibre. I decided I could learn something from him and I resolved to be positive."

McWhirter's magnanimity and honesty epitomise his approach to rugby. Since making his Ulster debut in the second row alongside Gary Longwell last season, he has been prepared to subjugate his own personal desires for the Ulster cause.

He prefers to focus on the input of others, particularly the influence that Andy Ward has had. "Andy has helped me immensely, vocally during games, pointing out things and providing confidence. He's been like a father figure and it has been fantastic playing alongside him."

McWhirter's modesty should not deflect from his ability. It would be churlish to single out individuals in a superb team success but the big Ballymena man's assurance of thought and deed in volatile surroundings has been an important factor. When Warren Gatland, Donal Lenihan and Philip Danaher sit down to choose an Ireland A side to face France later next month, the Ulsterman's abence would constitute a major surprise.

Yet, for the moment, thoughts of Ballymena and the games against Galwegians and Young Munster are the primary concerns. Only when they are over will his mind drift towards Colomiers and the realisation of a childhood ambition.

"I have always wanted to play at Lansdowne Road, someday hopefully in the green jersey. On January 30th, though, we will not be content to be part of a great occasion. It's one more match, one more than we want to win." Of that there can be no doubt.