WE’RE IN BEST PLACE
RORY BEST believes Ulster are in a great position to qualify for the knockout stages of Europe for the first time in four years but warns Saturday’s win cannot afford to be “another false dawn”.
A badly-needed home win over French giants La Rochelle not only relieved the pressure on the province after some ropey displays but kept their Champions Cup destiny in their own hands.
Wasps’ shock defeat at Harlequins on Saturday could play into Ulster’s hands further as they now face them in the final pool game on Sunday looking for a quarter-final place.
“We still have our destiny in our own hands which is the important thing for us,” claimed Best. “We knew going into this we had two games and two wins would put us in a very strong position.
“We will see if it gets us qualification or not but it does put us in a really strong position.”
After leaking 99 points in three inter-pro games over Christmas and suffering big away beatings at Connacht and Leinster, this result has steadied the ship.
But Best says they must build on their improved display.
He added: “We will see how we can back it up, we need to enjoy the win and then on Monday or Tuesday get back in and get back down to earth again.
“We need to make sure this is not another false dawn. We realise what it took to get to this point before a ball is even kicked and then what it took over that 80 minutes to get us the win.
“That is ultimately what we will see. If we can reproduce better again and we can set our benchmark it will be a turning point for us.
“But if we allow complacency to come in and we cut a few corners and we produce something that is not somewhere near our best, then it will just be frustrating - and a little bit of all for nothing.”
Ulster can even start dreaming of a home quarter-final following Wasps 33-28 defeat at Quins.
A win will secure a place in the last eight but coupled with a bonus point would see them top the group ahead of La Rochelle and probably secure home advantage.
Tries from Best, Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney helped put Ulster 20-13 ahead on Saturday with half an hour to go but they wasted three decent chances to nail the four-try bonus.
That could be vital when the calculators come out next Sunday but Best said there were no regrets.
“If we had got ourselves positioned to be eight, nine or 10 points ahead, then you can sort of chase that point,” he said.