Assistant coach Dan Soper says Ulster must “get up and go again” after the 61-21 hammering by holders Toulouse in their opening Investec Champions Cup game.
Richie Murphy’s youthful and injury-hit side shipped nine tries at the Stade Ernest-Wallon and have now won just two of their past 11 games in the Champions Cup.
They are hoping to bounce back at home to Bordeaux on Saturday and Soper says their return to training has been “tough” following the heavy defeat.
“We were off yesterday so everyone has gathered their thoughts and there were a few home truths today,” he said.
“Toulouse are a hell of a team and it was a tough ask, but there were some areas where we let ourselves down and we are disappointed with that.”
Bordeaux at home a ‘must-win’ game
Soper believes the quick turnaround after playing on Sunday means that Ulster can ill afford to dwell on the loss, but they must also try and rectify some mistakes made in France.
It is another difficult test at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday as they welcome a Bordeaux side second in France’s Top 14.
“We’ve been out on the pitch today so you can’t dwell too much on things you have to get up and go again,” he added.
“It’s a young group and they’re learning all the time, but we need to start putting in performances.”
Soper does hope that despite a lengthy injury list, Ulster can respond to the emphatic Toulouse defeat and put on a performance to be proud of on home soil.
“There’s always pressure and expectation on Ulster playing at home this time of year, but that’s a privilege of what we do, and we will be turning up on Saturday expecting to perform and get a result,” he said.
“Whatever structure there has been in Europe, a home game has usually been a must-win if you think you have a chance of progressing.”
Bordeaux ‘even more dangerous’ than Toulouse
Bordeaux opened their European campaign with an impressive 42-28 win over Leicester on Sunday and Soper is wary of the threats they pose.
“This might sound ridiculous given Toulouse have Antoine Dupont but in transition, they are even more dangerous, some of their broken-field attack is frighteningly good,” he explained.
“They’re another top calibre side so limiting their opportunities to do their thing will be important.”
Soper also believes Ulster need to have a greater emphasis on their display this week and not get fixated on what Bordeaux will do.
“As a coaching group I don’t know how long we spent saying to the players ‘this is what Toulouse do and this is what to be wary of’ instead of saying ‘this is us’.
“We’ve looked at Bordeaux, but we’re trying to get the focus on us and what we didn’t do well enough and what we are in control of doing better.”
