Ulster head coach Dan McFarland hopes to mark his 50th birthday in style with a dram of vintage Armagnac and an intoxicating success in Europe.
McFarland, who hit the half century on Sunday, was gifted a 50-year-old bottle of the French brandy by his cousin.
And he plans to have a tipple, preferably in triumph, after Saturday’s Champions Cup showdown with Toulouse at the Kingspan Stadium.
Read more: Ulster tie down versatile back to new long term deal
Just don’t consider mixing it with Coke as one reporter suggested during Monday’s media briefing ahead of the eagerly awaited last-16 tie in Belfast.
“There’s not a chance there’s any Coke going in my Armagnac,” laughed McFarland. “It’s a 50 year old bottle and I’m really looking forward to tasting it at the weekend.”
Armagnac is just one of two sophisticated – and potentially potent – French exports that the Ulster coach will be sampling in the days ahead.
Toulouse are the other.
Ulster hold a six point advantage from Saturday’s 26-20 first leg win in France.
“We played a helter skelter game with them last week and we ended up winning, but this weekend will be equally tough and potentially tougher,” said McFarland.
“The fact is we’re playing the European and Top 14 champions, so it is a huge ask. If we were to make it through to the quarter- final, it would be a notable achievement.”
Read more: Coleraine's Eoin Bradley shows he's still got it on GAA field with wonder score
Read more: NI teen saves life through organ donation after going through his own transplant
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
