Northampton Saints versus Leicester Tigers fixtures hold special memories for many rugby union players and fans, including Sydney-born flanker Charlie Ulcoq.
The East Midlands rivals go head-to-head at DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday night in the PREM Rugby Cup competition, the exact fixture in which the Australian became Saint #2125 back in January.
A little under a year after rolling the dice to switch hemispheres in pursuit of his rugby dream, Ulcoq was wearing the Black, Green and Gold, and the same prospect awaits him again on Friday evening.
“It is one of the best places I have ever been a part of,” he reflected. “This week in particular is a pretty exciting one. It is a derby game against Leicester Tigers, it is a great place to be, and it’s a good group of lads.
“Last season was an exciting fixture and I get to relive those memories as well. Leicester, in particular, will be a physical game, as it always is. I am just really excited to be a part of it.”
Ulcoq had a promising start to his rugby career in his homeland, representing the Waratahs at Under-18 level, NSW Schools and Australian Schools, but he found himself struggling to make an impact in senior rugby.
Through his agents, Ulcoq secured a training trial with Saints, and his bags were packed for the long flight across the globe.
Ulcoq reflected: “I thought about it and decided I’d give it a go. It was a big decision but, when I got here, honestly, it was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
“It happened so fast that I didn't really get a chance to dwell on the doubts,” Ulcoq continued. “There obviously were a couple. It was only a training trial, and my dad even threw me a leaving party. I was thinking, ‘if it doesn’t work out, I’m going to come home!’
“It ended up working out, but of course there were doubts. It was nice to get through that phase a couple of years ago.”
There was also the happy coincidence that his northern hemisphere adventure brought him closer to his mum, Emily, who lives in Northamptonshire.
“I called my mum up and said I had an opportunity at Saints, and she was absolutely ecstatic,” Ulcoq recalled.
That family support has been key, as it has not all been plain sailing for the back-row forward. While on loan at partner club Bedford Blues, he suffered the first major injury of his fledgling career when he broke his ankle.
His return to fitness was rewarded with a Saints debut in a winning Cup tie against Leicester – with his dad Andrew completing the 20,000 mile round journey to watch from the stands – and he would feature three more times in the competition, scoring his maiden try against Newcastle Red Bulls in a 49-21 away victory in February.
It was against the same opponents that Ulcoq made his Gallagher PREM debut as a late replacement at DPD Stadium at Franklin's Gardens in March.
Entering his third season at Saints, an Investec Champions Cup debut was added to his list of accomplishments when he featured in the victory over Cardiff in October.
Ulcoq is now chasing another memorable moment at DPD Stadium against Tigers, with his mum once again set to be in attendance for the East Midlands derby.
“It is pretty special playing here,” he said. “I haven’t experienced anything like it, even when watching rugby back home. Seeing how involved this crowd is, and how much culture and history is behind the club, is something I have never experienced before. So it is pretty special, and I am grateful to be a part of it.
“The people, the quality of the players, and how kind and welcoming they are as a group have made me so much better as a player and as a person. I am just really grateful to be here.”