Ulster's stand-in skipper Jordi Murphy has backed the province's latest debutant, Cormac Izuchukwu, to make a big impact at Kingspan Stadium.
former Sevens international, the converted lock made his bow for Dan McFarland in Friday's win over Glasgow, becoming the sixth member of the province's Academy to get a first taste of senior action this season.
Whether it be through injury, suspension or international call-ups, Ulster have had times this season when shortages in the second-row have been keenly felt, and Murphy feels Izuchukwu can make an impact upon the group moving forward.
"Cormac is a phenomenal player," said Murphy, who skippered the side for a first time at Scotstoun.
"I saw highlights of him playing for the Sevens over the last few years, he has been training hard with us this season and has put in some quality performances for the 'A's.
"To get his first cap was just rewards, he has phenomenal talent. He has amazing attributes and, for such a big man, he has skills and pace to burn.
"He is going to be a really important player for us and it was great to add him into the squad.
"We have had a lot of young guys playing and putting their hands up and he certainly didn't look out of place, he is one of those guys nothing fazes him, it was brilliant to see him get his first cap and I look forward to seeing many more."
With Ulster back in action this weekend, Murphy is hoping that the cobwebs have been blown away by Friday's run-out.
With the cancellation of the European pool stages preceding the planned domestic break for the opening of the Six Nations, Ulster went six weeks without a game in between the trips to Leinster and Glasgow.
The 19-13 win in Scotstoun came despite Ulster being held scoreless until the last play before half-time, when a fine move ended with man-of-the-match Mike Lowry going over for a try.
Craig Gilroy and Nick Timoney would follow him across the whitewash in the second-half but the visitors would come up short in their efforts to secure a crucial try-bonus point.
Now five points behind Leinster with four to play and only one of last season's finalists able to advance to this year's show-piece, Ulster's title hopes are on a knife-edge ahead of Friday's visit from Ospreys.
"There was definitely a bit of sloppiness with ball in hand and then in our ruck security, which made it difficult for John Cooney to get his delivery away at times," admitted Murphy of his side's initial struggles coming out of their long mid-season break.
"I think we cleaned it up at half-time. The more game time we get, the tighter we'll get. We just have to take the positives from the game and move on into next week.
"It was always going to be tough coming over to Glasgow, especially after five or six weeks without a game. There was definitely a bit of rust but we're pleased to come away and get the win, it's been a couple of years since we got one (in Scotstoun).
"It shows where our standards are at now that we're slightly disappointed we didn't come away with five points. But, all in all, it was really good to come over to a really tough Glasgow side and get the win."
The victory gave Murphy a winning start to life as a captain after McFarland chose the 30-times capped Irish international to lead out the side for a first time and, indeed, the first time he has filled such a role in his career.
"It's a huge honour to captain this club but the boys made it pretty easy for me," he added.
"With this group of players, they make it easier for you. With the likes of Alan O'Connor, who has been captain before a number of times, he's a great leader for us and then the likes of Ian Madigan as well, who is very experienced.
"There is a lot of experience in the team, so there are plenty of boys that can speak up and kind of take the load off me a bit."
