Richie Murphy told reporters that he was pleased with the second successive home URC victory in two weeks, however noted that there were errors in the match that made life more difficult for the team.
After the dust settled on the URC weekend, the win leaves Ulster in seventh position in the URC table, with three vital matches of the season left to play, as the province look to secure their position in the top eight.
Benetton analysis
"There were definitely some good bits in the game. Billy is a very talented out half and he’s able to bring people into the game, you could see that in the match. John moved the ball very quickly all game and with those two experienced half backs we had a good game. The lads on the outside, Jacob, Rob and Mike Lowry had very big games too. They chased balls, competed in the air and chased defensive kicks well, I thought they were great. Happy with all the guys.
Some of the tries, come from bad decisions in our attack. Will’s offload cost us seven points in the game when we were in a position of control in the game, that’s a decision he’s made in the game that he didn’t mean to make but it’s something we have had in our game for the last number of weeks, so they are the type of things we want to try and work on. Our tackling quality needs to be a hell of a lot better and we need to work a bit harder to get set in better positions so we can defend better."
Importance of training time
"You can see the good sides and bad parts of both sides of our game. This was the first week where we could actually train Monday and Tuesday together, because it’s the first full week we have had since South Africa, so those games have come thick and fast.
In training next week we’ll try and implement some of the stuff that we want to see against Scarlets, which will be a massive game for us. All our attention will be towards that and tidying up errors."
John Cooney's performance
"I’ve known John a long time. I have known him since he was about 15 or 16 years old in Gonzaga College. In the conversations I have had with him over the past few weeks he knows there are two sides to his game, the goal kicking is one element and the scrum half play is another element. His scrum half play is coming out again."
Home support
"What an incredible night at Kingspan Stadium, beautiful sunny skies before kick off, the crowd came in and it was a great atmosphere. I suppose they are getting entertained, maybe a little too much!"
Competition for places
"I think one or two players could be in contention for Scarlets, they are all working hard. The rehab and medical team are doing a great job in getting those guys through their paces. Next week we should have a better idea.
We are trying to create good competition for places in the squad. Look at Reuben coming in, a young player getting his opportunity and Izzy, who has been making an impact coming off the bench. Some of those young lads coming up are putting pressure on senior players so that’s the kind of pressure we want to create."
Scarlets focus
"Nine points in the past two games is exactly what we need to do when the league is as tight. We need to work on the things we need to get better at and go into that Scarlets game with enthusiasm and attack it."
After an outstanding performance, both in attack and defence, scrum-half, John Cooney, told media about his delight at the result and how the team have responded to recent setbacks.
Bonus-point win delight
"We have to enjoy it. Stu McCloskey was saying, ‘lads we got five points, we have to enjoy it and smile!' We left it close at the end but they are a very good side, playing good rugby. Good in their defending and their attack shape. As hard a team to defend that I have played so it’s a huge win for us.
It felt like anytime they scored we could score right back. At times throughout the season, we probably have dwelled on those mistakes and conceded. I know we let them back into the game, butI felt we could always come back in that game.
It was like a knockout game for us. Through winter time I didn’t enjoy the wins, it was a turbulent time. I didn’t enjoy any wins bar the Racing 92 game. I’m trying to enjoy my rugby more the last few weeks."
On making a try-saving tackle
"Since I have had surgery on my shoulder I sometimes avoid making huge contacts to get through 80 minutes but I missed a tackle on their twelve before it so I was annoyed and thought I have to make up for that. I better throw my body at this guy and hope for the best!"
Love from the supporters
"It’s special. My mum was here tonight and she was saying she can’t even watch the games and has to ask others if I went alright. She reminds me how special it is to even hear the crowd chant my name.
I owe some to Wayne Rooney too! The crowd was special tonight again, it was great to see so many kids coming along to see us."
On feeling better about his game
"I sat down with Richie and we had a good talk. He is pleased with my kicking but told me I’m much more than that. He said I have so much more to your game than showing and that I really enjoy doing.
I had a bad neck injury that meant I relied a bit more on my kicking, as I lost a lot of power in my arm.
I couldn’t carry the ball as well, I kept getting reefed and losing balls. Now that my kicking improved, I want to get back to the other parts of my game, I felt my running game was good tonight, although my box kicking was poor! I’m trying to get everything in one game.
It was a good game but I have to back it up. Sport is fickle and you have to focus on the next week."
Scarlets focus
"I feel we could kick on from here. Scarlets away is a tough fixture. It’s huge for us to have a training week ahead of it. We have had four weeks away and we need that full week. You need them to implement to what you want to achieve."