Ulster back row David McCann says the province’s difficult start to the season should stand them in good stead for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.

Richie Murphy’s side edged out United Rugby Championship champions Glasgow with a late score in their first home game, then lost to the Lions and the Bulls on their two-match tour to South Africa.

Connacht were seen off after a titanic interprovincial contest at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday to secure a second victory of the new term.

Ulster face Ospreys in Belfast on Friday, followed by an away trip to Cardiff, before a break for the international window.

“We had a really tough start to the season – the champions at home and then two games away in South Africa at altitude, so to get the win over Connacht and five points at home, it was vital for us, and I think we deserved it,” said McCann.

“I feel like we’re battle-hardened now – a lot of people have got game-time, a lot of people have got experience, so I think it’s been a success in a lot of ways but we need to keep working for these next two games.

“It’s key we get our points at home, but then it’s what we do away, when it’s tougher, when we don’t have the crowd behind us.”