Ulster's Cormac Izuchukwu hitting form at right time for Ireland hopes

Denied a player of the match award by Lawrence Dallaglio despite running in a hat-trick of tries, Cormac Izuchukwu took it all in his stride.

The versatile forward has been one of Ulster's shining lights in a difficult period of rebuilding, and his form over the last year was rewarded with a first Ireland cap against Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series.

After three disheartening Champions Cup losses, Ulster came good in the second half against Exeter on Friday night, with Izuchukwu crossing three times in total.

Just prior to the Offaly man’s third try in the 78th minute, 2003 World Cup winner Dallaglio had given prop Scott Wilson his man of the match nod.

"That’s what happens, eh," smiled Izuchukwu when he was standing beside, almost dwarfing, the former England back row on Premier Sports after the game.

Despite the 52-24 scoreline ultimately being enough to take Richie Murphy’s side into the round of 16, where they will face top-seed Bordeaux away, the quality of opposition has to be taken into account and no one at Ulster is getting carried away.

Still, Izuchukwu’s performance was noteworthy.

Deployed on the flank for most of the early season, and starting there for his Ireland cap, Murphy has switched the 24-year-old to the second row for their last three matches.

A hat-trick to cap off a great week