Fit-again Will Addison admits he still pinches himself as he aims to help Ulster rediscover their winning touch against Edinburgh before the start of the European campaign.

Addison has urged his team to deliver a reaction this weekend before a European double next month.

“For us certainly a reaction is needed,” said Addison.

“And no better place than at home in front of hopefully a decent crowd in the lead up to big European games. There is so much motivation, so many places to draw inspiration from for us this weekend and certainly a reaction from last week is one of those.

“I still pinch myself and I know how lucky I am. It’s just such a blessing and then to get to run out at the weekend.

“Hopefully it reflects to the lads just how lucky we are to do what we are doing and I try and convey that message as much as I can because it’s definitely something that hits home for me.”

Addison returned to action this season having endured a near two-year absence following a leg break back in 2021.

The 31-year-old had to overcome an obstacle-filled road to recovery experiencing medical setbacks along the way including operations, being on an IV line, infections and blood clots.

‘Emphasis on Europe’

Since his return, Addison – who has five Ireland caps – has made three league appearances and is “buzzing” to build momentum against Edinburgh with upcoming Champions Cup games against Bath and Racing 92 on 9 and 16 December.

“It’s really important [to build momentum for Europe], I think our league, with the introduction of the South African teams, has gone on leaps and bounds in the last few years and it’s really hard to build momentum in some ways,” added Addison.

“It’s a similar opposition [to Glasgow], Scotland are one of the top teams in the world in terms of international rugby and it’s definitely filtrated to Edinburgh and Glasgow because Glasgow are top of the league.

“Edinburgh are playing some really good rugby but they have been unlucky in the last minutes of a few games and I’m sure that is something that they will be carrying into this weekend that they want to send Blair Kinghorn off in the right way.

“When I came to the club, Dwayne Peel just said that the emphasis on Europe is so different to what I had at Sale and that is certainly the case.

“Obviously the heritage of us winning it in 1999 and just the legacy that it’s left it means that the whole buzz around the city, around the club when it comes to Europe is just a different level.

“I think you can just feel that anticipation behind the scenes that there is a huge game this weekend that is then leading into two huge, monumental games the weeks after, so you want to build momentum and I think that is something that we’ll definitely be looking to do this weekend.”