The joy of being free of injury

Brad Free didn't see much but was told about it subsequently. The spectacle of several Toulouse supporters at Stade Les Septs Deniers last Sunday chucking a few bottles at Welsh referee Nigel Williams, blaming him for their team's loss of a big lead, was sad but not untypical.

"They can go a bit over the top but while you might describe it as a hostile atmosphere it didn't bother the players. I have played in similar situations. The ref certainly copped the flak."

Not that such sights would have phased Free, not somebody who suffered a horrific leg injury, recovered from it and was then dispatched to the sidelines with a neck problem.

The Australian-born scrumhalf is delighted to be playing rugby and that enthusiasm peppers the conversation. It is a simple premise for happiness but the 29-year-old Ulster player has spent more time in civvies than a playing kit over the past three years.

On November 26th, 1997 Free broke and dislocated his ankle and tore all the ligaments around it while playing for Ireland A against Canada at Ravenhill. He had arrived in Ireland - his mother Lorraine was born in Dublin - with a reputation, having played for Saracens, and the early indications suggested senior international honours.

It is ironic that he would rekindle his representative career with Ulster, whose home ground is Ravenhill. For the first few days in training the spot on which the injury occurred fixated him. "I kept my eye on it as if drawn to it. I even pointed it out to some of the players. The memories were bad and initially it was a worry but I have got over it. Training so often at Ravenhill certainly helped."

Free joined Bective Rangers on his comeback after the injury and managed a place on the replacements bench for Leinster only for a neck injury to intervene. At the start of this season Ulster coach Harry Williams needed a scrumhalf and Free a province with which to enjoy game time: the marriage of convenience has blossomed.

Free is not given to long-term predictions. "I am genuinely happy to be playing and particularly keen to re-establish myself as a decent player. That is a primary goal. I have only had 27 games in three years and the evidence of that can be seen in my performances.

"I am not at the top of my game but it's not that far away. The progression is there. The more I play, the more comfortable I feel. With each match another aspect of the position returns or improves. I would love to have another six months of playing under my belt at this stage. Playing is everything for me at the moment and I can't see beyond that."

Sharing a house with Ulster team-mate Ryan Constable, Free has settled easily into Belfast life and appears comfortable both inside and outside the squad environment. He speaks warmly of the welcome that he has received and the enjoyment he derives from playing in front of packed, boisterous Ravenhill crowds. He concedes that Ulster have enjoyed mixed fortunes.

"I think in Toulouse we showed a lot of character. We certainly made a lot of errors and we are nowhere near playing to our potential. In that particular match we enjoyed our fair share of luck, something that we hadn't in the interprovincials. It's funny but I think the interprovincials were of a higher standard, certainly than the Cardiff or Toulose matches.

"That's reflected in how well the Irish provinces are doing in the European Cup. We are beating or drawing with the so-called bigger names."

Free's thoughts are redirected to tomorrow night's game against Toulouse at Ravenhill when Ulster hope to revive memories of 1998 when they twice defeated the French kingpins at that venue.

Last weekend's 35-35 draw in Toulouse and the lengthy Toulouse injury list suggests that the northern province can realise their ambition. Free, true to the form of any player awaiting a big match, is quick to highlight the merits of the visitors.

"I believe that Fabien Pelous did not travel but Xavier Garbajosa did make the trip. When you have a front row with players like Christian Califano and Franck Tournaire it underlines the strength of the team. They did a huge amount of damage to us in the early stages last weekend. We have got to get rid of the euphoria that engulfed the team after the last game.

"This is a new match, different game and we will need to improve to win. A hint of complacency and we'll be in trouble. Obviously the expectation within the province is huge and that's down to what was achieved in 1998. People have been queuing up at Ravenhill all week to buy tickets and the match is a sell-out. The pressure is on. We have everything to lose."