LES GET SERIOUS

Zebre crossing has Ulster boss angry and he wants reaction for derby tie

ULSTER director of rugby Les Kiss believes losing to Zebre will sharpen their focus for a crucial interprovincial derby with Connacht. A shell-shocked Ulster lost for just the second time against Zebre in Italy on Saturday despite coming into the game boasting a 100% record after five games of the new season. Darren Cave’s last ditch try saved a losing bonus point but Kiss knows his players underperformed. “It’s just a reminder you can listen to what the world is saying or you can believe what you are at,” he said. “We got reminded today from the game and it’s a great lesson. “We will have to pick it up. Connacht played very well against Scarlets. “This is the competition, it’s great to see these teams doing well but not at our expense. “We just have to dust ourselves down and make sure we get the right things right.” Andrew Trimble reached 221 Ulster caps, equalling the record set by Roger Wilson, but despite his first-half try Ulster couldn’t push on against Zebre. They conceded three tries after half-time but thought they had gone back in front when Wiehahn Herbst crossed after a rolling maul, late in the second-half. However, that try was disallowed for obstruction and Kiss believes it would only have papered over the cracks after a terrible performance. “You get out of this game what you put in and we didn’t work hard enough,” he said. “Energy didn’ t seem to be there. They were a team that were really spirited and it ’s ust j disappointing we didn’ t match that.”