If any Ulster players need a little bit of inspiration to pick themselves up during this difficult run of results, they only have to look to one of their own in Ben Carson.
Just over three years ago Carson punctured his spleen in an Ulster ‘A’ game against Connacht.
It sidelined the promising young centre for a number of months and the fact that he is still playing top level rugby is nothing short of a miracle.
After receiving scary news from doctors who told him he was lucky to be alive, Carson threw a challenge down to himself that he would be back playing the game that he loves.
Three months after the injury, Carson was back running again, and six months later he was playing a pivotal role as Ireland Under 20′s claimed a 6 Nations Grand Slam.
“Injuries are part of the game and I did go through a pretty tough time,” explained Carson.
“The doctors told me that there’s a chance you could’ve died and that’s pretty terrifying. But then you play the game because you love it and there were thoughts in my head when I was going through them tough times that I really want to play this game.”
In those dark days of late 2021 confined to his bed, Carson admits to thinking that his playing career was at an end.
But his love for rugby gave him a target that he was more than determined to hit.
“It was really tough. Then you just remember the reason you play. You love it so why stop. I got better, I got through injuries and it has probably made me more resilient and made me better for it.
“Like I wouldn’t want to go through that again. But I don’t really want to do anything else but play rugby at the moment. Even back then I always wanted to be a rugby player and we’re here now. We got through it which is brilliant.”
After impressing for Ireland under 20′s under his leadership, Richie Murphy had no hesitation throwing the rookie centre into some of Ulster’s biggest games, and up against some of the world’s best players.
Since September Carson has gone toe-to-toe against the best that South Africa and Europe have to offer, and the 22-year-old hasn’t looked out of place. And if selected to play on Saturday night, Carson will see himself line-up against one of the form players in world rugby in Bundee Aki.
“My first few caps this season were probably against some of the toughest opposition I’ve ever played. Like Bundee Aki near the start of the season.
“I’ve played against the Bulls, that gave me great confidence to play against anyone else. Toulouse didn’t go as well for me. I got injured there in the first 10 minutes and I was a bit disappointed.
“But I’m just excited to play against the best in the world.
“That’s what we do. That’s what we play the game for, so it should be good.”
