Director of Rugby Les Kiss has insisted that Ulster is still in the mix in both the Guinness PRO12 and European Champions Cup.
Kiss’ side dropped to 6th in the PRO12 standings following a 16-13 defeat versus Scarlets on Friday evening, although they claimed a vital losing bonus point and still have a game in hand on the teams immediately above them.
The Australian believes that his side deserved more for their efforts at Parc y Scarlets, but states that they can recover to battle it out in the latter stages of the season.
“We controlled that first half and I thought we were superb with our retention of the ball. But we were not as clinical as we needed to be at the start of the second half and gave them a bit of life and traction into the game.
“The decisions we could not control, that is what it is,” said Kiss, referring to the penalty try and yellow card conceded by Sean Reidy’s high tackle.
“I thought we probably would have a better return from it, if things [decisions] had gone our way.
“We could have controlled some of our own decisions better, but I cannot hide the disappointment of the loss, that is for sure. It’s something we’ve just got to cop.”
In spite of the reversal in Wales, Kiss maintains the season is far from over…
“We are not in the ideal position, but we are still contenders. The players certainly believe it in the sheds and we have to make sure we dust off and get up for two big Champions Cup games against two big teams.”
First up in Europe is Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Sunday, followed by the visit of Bordeaux-Bègles to Kingspan Stadium on Saturday 21st January, with wins needed in both to have a chance of progression to the knock-out stages.
After a two-week recess, the squad’s attentions will turn to a crucial block of PRO12 fixtures that will include games against Edinburgh (home), Glasgow (home), Zebre (away), Treviso (home) and Dragons (away), along with the rearranged home game versus Zebre.
“We then get back on the horse for the PRO12,” says Kiss. “It will be an important Six Nations period for us. We will have injured players hopefully coming back by then, which will be a big plus for us and just give our squad a bit of depth.
“It’s a big six or eight weeks for us!”
Kiss’ side dropped to 6th in the PRO12 standings following a 16-13 defeat versus Scarlets on Friday evening, although they claimed a vital losing bonus point and still have a game in hand on the teams immediately above them.
The Australian believes that his side deserved more for their efforts at Parc y Scarlets, but states that they can recover to battle it out in the latter stages of the season.
“We controlled that first half and I thought we were superb with our retention of the ball. But we were not as clinical as we needed to be at the start of the second half and gave them a bit of life and traction into the game.
“The decisions we could not control, that is what it is,” said Kiss, referring to the penalty try and yellow card conceded by Sean Reidy’s high tackle.
“I thought we probably would have a better return from it, if things [decisions] had gone our way.
“We could have controlled some of our own decisions better, but I cannot hide the disappointment of the loss, that is for sure. It’s something we’ve just got to cop.”
In spite of the reversal in Wales, Kiss maintains the season is far from over…
“We are not in the ideal position, but we are still contenders. The players certainly believe it in the sheds and we have to make sure we dust off and get up for two big Champions Cup games against two big teams.”
First up in Europe is Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Sunday, followed by the visit of Bordeaux-Bègles to Kingspan Stadium on Saturday 21st January, with wins needed in both to have a chance of progression to the knock-out stages.
After a two-week recess, the squad’s attentions will turn to a crucial block of PRO12 fixtures that will include games against Edinburgh (home), Glasgow (home), Zebre (away), Treviso (home) and Dragons (away), along with the rearranged home game versus Zebre.
“We then get back on the horse for the PRO12,” says Kiss. “It will be an important Six Nations period for us. We will have injured players hopefully coming back by then, which will be a big plus for us and just give our squad a bit of depth.
“It’s a big six or eight weeks for us!”