IT’S BEEN A FRUSTRATING few weeks for Ian Humphreys.

The life of a back-up out-half can be like that sometimes. You work hard, train hard and warm-up as if it were a final in May, but it’s January and the man in the team ahead of you is the focal point of the attack, one of the faces of the team. And he will be for years to come.

Presseye / Jonathan Porter/INPHO Presseye / Jonathan Porter/INPHO / Jonathan Porter/INPHO

Humphreys watched Ulster — and Paddy Jackson’s penalties — fall short against Munster last weekend from the sidelines alone. The week before, he at least had some fellow unused replacements with whom to celebrate the win over Connacht in Galway.

All told, thanks to an untimely hamstring problem in September, the veteran playmaker has featured on the field in just four Ulster games this season. Today in Oyonnax (kick-off 13.00) will be his first opportunity to start since the week that Ireland exited the World Cup.

It’s frustrating, but only to a certain extent. Humphreys didn’t come back from a second stint in the Premiership to oust Paddy Jackson, he came back to help him and help his native province.

“I understand my place in the squad,” Humphreys philosophically told The42 a few days after warming up and down during Munster’s win in Belfast.

“Jacko’s playing really well and because he’s goal-kicking so well it’s tough to bring him off in such a tight game.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather be out there playing, but I’m happy to do what’s best for the team and I’ve been in his situation where it’s not nice coming off.

Humphreys’ jokes cut out when he speaks further about Jackson. The 13-cap international only turned 24 this week and his form during Ulster’s jaw-dropping Champions Cup displays against Toulouse have caused many to suggest that he should be the man to start for Ireland in the Six Nations, ahead of Joe Schmidt-favourite Jonathan Sexton.

That may be a call too rash for the opening week of a title defence against Wales, but Humphreys sees a man who grows relentlessly the more he is backed and endorsed by coaches.

“Jacko’s just been playing very well. His goal-kicking’s been great, he’s defensively very sound and his distribution’s very good. All of a sudden when you win games it gives you confidence and he knows the players respect him, because what he says he can back up.

“He doesn’t ask players to do anything he doesn’t. If you watch the Munster game back you’ll see him mopping up some scrappy ball, he carried into contact well, he’s got everything if he just continues to develop.”

Presseye / Matt Mackey/INPHO Presseye / Matt Mackey/INPHO / Matt Mackey/INPHO

And develop he will, with Humphreys ever willing to add a word of support, show the value of a soft well-timed pass, offer encouragement or to take the reins on a day like today just to make sure he doesn’t get a chance to rest on his laurels.

Though he will turn 34 before his current contract expires at the end of the season and has more Celtic League appearances to his name than his famous brother, Humphreys still feels fresh and energetic about his role in the northern province’s setup. He has no intention of retiring or seeking out another challenge in the England  any time soon.

“The body still feels great, so I’m keen to keep playing as long as Ulster decide to keep me.

I still have a lot to offer on and off the pitch.

“I’m getting on, 33 now, but at the same time if you look at my career I haven’t played that many games. So my body’s still pretty fresh and I’m lucky enough over the last four or five  years that I haven’t had any major injuries.”

In the much shorter term, Humphreys will be hoping to give Kiss no reason to call upon Jackson and Ruan Pienaar today. He will work in tandem with the high-tempo specialist Paul Marshall as Ulster aim for a bonus point win to ice the moreish cake that has been their recent form in France.

Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Oyonnax may take a fancy to a scalp to send a warning shot out before Toulouse follow Ulster to Stade Charles Mathon. Although at the second time of asking Humphreys and Ulster will not be surprised by anything fired their way in the Alps.

“The boys were disappointed because it was such a nice sunny, warm day. When we go now it’ll probably be freezing cold and raining,” he says of the abandoned November clash in Oyonnax.

We know how tough it’s going to be, it’s a case of us playing the way we want to play, be direct and don’t try to force things. And just show them the respect they deserve…