LET’S JO Gibbes tells Ulster there’s no room for error

JONO GIBBES has warned Ulster they are drinking in the last chance saloon heading into today’s showdown with Cardiff.

Time is fast running out for the province who lie fourth in Conference B and nine points off the play-off spots – albeit with a game in hand against Glasgow to come.

With three of their remaining five league games away from home, the pressure is on to reach the knockout stages.

The return of Grand Slam heroes Iain Henderson and Jacob Stockdale is a massive boost but head coach Gibbes (right) accepts Ulster are in must-win territory with their league hopes and qualification for the Champions Cup on the line.

“My message to the group is we’ve got no margin for error,” said Gibbes, who admits the recent postponement of the Glasgow game due to snow was a blow. Ulster’s last outing was 29 days ago when they shipped four tries and 31 second half points in a 34-10 defeat to Scarlets.

“Mentally it has been difficult,” he said. “You are ready to go but then the game gets called off and you move into a down week. Mentally it is a little bit of a challenge.

“The benefit is we are actually really freshened up. There has been good purpose in our sessions and we are ready to go.”

On the return of Henderson, who starts at flanker, and Stockdale he said: “It’s obviously an exciting period for Jacob given what he has gone through.

“But just having their quality around and the kind of guys they are is a boost for us.”

Following this week’s clash with Cardiff, fourth in Conference A, Ulster face a crucial away trip on April 6 to Edinburgh who are above them in Conference B.

The season concludes with two home clashes against the Ospreys and Glasgow and an interprovincial trip to Munster.