Following the province's last gasp defeat, Ulster's Head Coach, Dan McFarland, says that he was proud of the effort of the side but that critical errors cost the team at the end of the contest.
Thoughts on the performance
"I’m really proud of the effort that the lads put in out there. I thought we had high energy, our defence was excellent, apart from the intercept try we didn’t really give them a chance of scoring a try. We knew that it would be difficult coming over here, they have a very particular game around their kick chase and trying to pin you in your own half, I thought how we went about combating that was good.
On the other side of the coin, we were inaccurate, especially in that first half. We let a number of opportunities pass us by and as a result that gave them a foothold and gave them some penalties. At the end of the day, we were well in the game, in control and then there were two big moments in that last quarter, we were in their 22 and concede an intercept try from 85 metres out.
In the the final passage of play we were in control with a maul going forward in their third, the referee says we have done something wrong and they go down the opposite end of the field because of that.
After all the effort we out in there, to have it taken away and to lose it in that way with a couple of instances is disappointing."
On errors in the game
"There were always going to be errors, a lot of teams have been making errors this weekend after a three week break away from the game so there was always going to be a bit of inaccuracy.
We all say we want to be perfect when we come back but that’s just not the case in rugby. The Ospreys are the strongest team in Wales, with a strong home record and we deserved to be in a position to win the game but those few instances just took it away from us."
On lifting the team for Dragons
"Its not difficult, we are professional sportspeople. There is disappointment but we’ll come back with this result and focus on winning our next game."
Ulster centre, James Hume, added his disappointment of the side losing the contest with errors leading the home side getting a foothold in the game. The match was also the first time the academy product has captained the province, after skipper Iain Henderson came off in the first half with an injury.
Reflections on the match
"The boys worked hard, conditions were as we thought they would be with it being a bit wet but our execution in our own half wasn’t good enough and it led to them getting access into our 22. Disappointed but I can’t fault our efforts."
Bouncing back
"The schedule is frustrating with a game on, then game off, so it's important to try and not be rusty with no game this week. We need to stay sharp and nail our detail.
It’s a challenging time of the year with players in and players out but I back this group to get things right and improve towards the end of the season."
Captaincy pride
"It came earlier than I expected with Hendy going off. I had Tom Stewart and Dave McCann around me and they have captained Ireland U20s and Ulster, so they were a great help. It’s not an individual thing it’s a team game."
Message to supporters
"I'd just ask for patience and to stay behind us. It’s a work in progress at this stage of the season.
We will come through the other side of this and want them to know we really appreciate the support they give. We'll just ask for positivity and back us to turn things around."