Izuchukwu not putting Ireland call 'on a pedestal'

Ulster forward Cormac Izuchukwu says he is not getting ahead of himself with regards to potential Six Nations selection after making his first start in nearly three months.

Izuchukwu impressed on his return to the Ulster line-up for the first time since 11 October in Saturday's United Rugby Championship win over Connacht in Galway, winning the player of the match award.

The 25-year-old has started just three games in a season interrupted by injury and illness and he says he cannot afford to focus too much on Ireland selection having only just returned for his province.

"I've missed so many camps with injuries that I've learned that you can get down on yourself if you're planning two months out to go to a camp and then you get injured, it can be quite a tough thing to live with," said the Offaly-born lock, who has three Ireland caps.

"If I just focus on staying fit, playing each week and then if it comes it comes, I can enjoy it then, but I'm not trying to put it up on a pedestal where if it doesn't go my way, it'll be a massive loss for me."

Saturday's 29-24 victory over Connacht was Ulster's fifth in seven URC games this season.

"If these games are lost, it amps up the pressure in the backend of the season," he added.

"We had that last year. We were kind of struggling coming into the backend of the season and then the Edinburgh game [the final game last season], it kind of fell apart.

"That's the lesson we've learned - can we win these games to make it easier to play in the later part of the season."