THE INJURIES have piled up already this season but one of the positives from that is that it allows some new talent to emerge.

Our troubles at lock have been well documented with Andrew Coombs, Ian Gough, Cory Hill, Matthew Screech and Joe Davies all currently out.

That has given a chance to James Thomas and he has been superb.

I know from experience how hard it is to learn different roles and JT has done a great job after having to get to grips with what is expected as a 6, 7, 8 and now 4.

He’s primarily a blindside but covered brilliant alongside Rynard Landman in the win at Stade Francais and last week’s gutting narrow loss to Newcastle.

The injuries have given him an unexpected chance but he has taken it and I think it will stand him in good stead when all of the locks come back.

JT has come back into the mix at the Dragons after catching the eye with Bedwas in the Premiership and has really responded; that’s a great effort considering that he is still a student at Cardiff University.

It was also good to see him come out of his shell a bit when we headed to Chepstow Racecourse for a team-bonding session last Saturday.

We were still frustrated after losing to Newcastle the previous night but such events are massively important to bring the squad closer together. In fact, socials are probably even more important when things aren’t quite going your way.

The day was a great success, although unlike some members of the squad I was certainly a couple of quid down at the end of it.

It has been a strange week for me and Ashley Smith as we have been ‘bubble-wrapped’ after suffering bangs (calf for me, dead leg for Ash).

At times you do need a break and I think that is certainly the case for Nic Cudd, who has played nearly every minute and has been unable to train because of a bruised leg.

You are never 100 per cent as a rugby player but the build-up to tomorrow’s game against Ulster has been odd and you do have a few sleepless nights when you face fitness tests so close to a game.

Preparation is hindered when a squad suffers as many injuries as we currently have; no coach can compensate for so many losses to injury and international duty, especially in the back five of the pack and midfield.

Nonetheless we are still excited by what will be a massive challenge against Ulster, who will be strong even without their Irish internationals.

Newcastle was so frustrating coming after such a good win at Stade Francais but we just made too many individual errors and the set piece wasn’t as good as it has been for most of the season.

It will be tough in Belfast tomorrow evening but we need to stay positive and have a real go at them, adopting the same mindset as we did in Paris.

We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.