"Obviously we're disappointed, but we knew we had a mountain to climb in terms of waiting to see what the results were from other games, but I am still very proud of what these players have done in Europe this year."
Learning that Stade Francais’ win in Paris had guaranteed his team wouldn’t make the knockout stages of the European Champions Cup, Les Kiss, Ulster’s Director of Rugby, sees much to be pleased about from the campaign.
“We were in the hunt to the very finish of the pool stages, and we can use that for a new focus for the next few months, and it really does bode well.
“We showed we can compete against the very best, and in Saracens and Toulouse you could argue they are the top clubs in Europe, and we beat the French home and away, and more than held our own against Saracens, here at the Kingspan Stadium for an hour, and again in London last week for a similar period.
“The guys did all they could, a try bonus point win and more, it was a remarkable display,” acknowledging the spectacular eight-try 56-3 dismissal of Oyonnax yesterday.
“That game was a good step forward in many ways, because we were without Ruan Pienaar, Rory Best had a bit of a back problem, and players embraced the tactical changes that entailed, and those we’ve made all season because of injuries too.
“Kyle McCall at prop has done an exceptional job, Alan O’Connor at lock too, Sean Reidy came in when Chris Henry was unfit and did such a good job for the side, and Rory Scholes has showed his class. And Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall, what a fine midfield understanding they have created in a short time.
“And the growth in Paddy Jackson at 10 has been such a big plus, he’s just confirmed what we knew he can do and taken it on a step each week. So there have been silver linings to this weekend, and to the campaign in Europe,” he says.
Kiss admits that if he has a regret it is that a point wasn’t taken from the games against Saracens, at home and especially away last weekend.
“We put it up to them, and they are a wonderful side, but we just couldn’t stay with them, and that has been a lesson - the performance levels cannot drop for any of the 80 minutes.
“We still think we can do a good job in Europe, and it’s a target for next season. We have a generation of players, of supporters and of sponsors who want and expect to be involved in the latter stages of the competition, and that’s only right,” says Kiss.
He regards the next six Guinness PRO12 games as very important, in maintaining the growth in the side’s performances and taking the chance to position Ulster for a top four finish.
“That patch of games starts in Treviso on Saturday, and with the Six Nations upon us we’ll be using our resources and tactical ideas to the full. It’s very important now that we finish well in the league, it’s the competition that we’re still in and we want to make sure of a place in the play-offs,” says Kiss.
Learning that Stade Francais’ win in Paris had guaranteed his team wouldn’t make the knockout stages of the European Champions Cup, Les Kiss, Ulster’s Director of Rugby, sees much to be pleased about from the campaign.
“We were in the hunt to the very finish of the pool stages, and we can use that for a new focus for the next few months, and it really does bode well.
“We showed we can compete against the very best, and in Saracens and Toulouse you could argue they are the top clubs in Europe, and we beat the French home and away, and more than held our own against Saracens, here at the Kingspan Stadium for an hour, and again in London last week for a similar period.
“The guys did all they could, a try bonus point win and more, it was a remarkable display,” acknowledging the spectacular eight-try 56-3 dismissal of Oyonnax yesterday.
“That game was a good step forward in many ways, because we were without Ruan Pienaar, Rory Best had a bit of a back problem, and players embraced the tactical changes that entailed, and those we’ve made all season because of injuries too.
“Kyle McCall at prop has done an exceptional job, Alan O’Connor at lock too, Sean Reidy came in when Chris Henry was unfit and did such a good job for the side, and Rory Scholes has showed his class. And Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall, what a fine midfield understanding they have created in a short time.
“And the growth in Paddy Jackson at 10 has been such a big plus, he’s just confirmed what we knew he can do and taken it on a step each week. So there have been silver linings to this weekend, and to the campaign in Europe,” he says.
Kiss admits that if he has a regret it is that a point wasn’t taken from the games against Saracens, at home and especially away last weekend.
“We put it up to them, and they are a wonderful side, but we just couldn’t stay with them, and that has been a lesson - the performance levels cannot drop for any of the 80 minutes.
“We still think we can do a good job in Europe, and it’s a target for next season. We have a generation of players, of supporters and of sponsors who want and expect to be involved in the latter stages of the competition, and that’s only right,” says Kiss.
He regards the next six Guinness PRO12 games as very important, in maintaining the growth in the side’s performances and taking the chance to position Ulster for a top four finish.
“That patch of games starts in Treviso on Saturday, and with the Six Nations upon us we’ll be using our resources and tactical ideas to the full. It’s very important now that we finish well in the league, it’s the competition that we’re still in and we want to make sure of a place in the play-offs,” says Kiss.