LES KISS HAS called on his Ulster side to deliver five points against Oyonnax in the final round of the Champions Cup next weekend.
Ulster were outclassed by a powerful Saracens outfit at Allianz Park to leave their quarter-final qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
Clermont and Stade Francais are ahead of Ulster on 14 points while Northampton and Toulon could sneak ahead in the race for the three second-placed finishing spots following their home ties on Sunday.
Ulster will head into their final pool match with 13 points but a bonus-point victory against their French opponents can put them right in the mix for a place in the knockout stages.
“The truth is now we have to get five points and we also have to sit and wait for a couple of other results,” said the Australian.
“We don’t control our destiny completely. It’s the not ideal situation to be in but it’s a weird competition. Every year it does something different so we’ll see what happens.
“We’re first off the rank next week. The first game, so if we do our job then other people have to react to that.”
Luke Marshall’s superb early try gave Ulster the perfect start in north London but the power and efficiency of Saracens eventually told as Billy Vunipola, Duncan Taylor, Maro Itoje and Schalk Brits all crossed in a bonus-point victory that secured top spot in Pool 1, with a game to spare.
For a young Ulster outfit, it was a tough experience but one that will stand to the likes of Stuart McCloskey and Kyle McCall in the long-term.
Certainly, Ulster can learn from Saracens’ “ruthless efficiency” ahead of next Saturday’s crunch clash with Oyonnax.
“We’re extremely disappointed , to tell you the truth,” said Kiss. “They teach you a lesson every time you play them, in this game and the last game. It’s not good enough just to sit back and let those things happen to you in the second-half.
“That ruthless efficiency came to the fore. We reacted rather then held our composure.
“We had minutes that were good, but we didn’t have 80 minutes that were good. We have to take that hurt and transition that into a reaction next week.”
It was McCloskey’s early scything break that provided the platform for Marshall’s early score.
The powerful Ulster centre once again caught the eye and has been earmarked for a place in Joe Schmidt’s Six Nations squad in the coming weeks.
“Stuart was called into the camp a few weeks ago so he’s obviously in their sights,” added Kiss.
“It’s not for me to say whether he’s going to get there or not, but he’s certainly playing very well. He’s developing all the elements of his game. If he’s selected, well done. That’s what Joe and the other coaches will decide over the next day or two.”
Fantastic excitement in televised darts. MVG is a beast.
Was really hoping for a come back, almost looked promising at one stage but sure look. Great to watch regardless
one of the most over rated sports ever, only reason people watch it is for a piss up
A game not a sport
I watched it sober Stilphil Brady.
do yout mean all people watching at home are having a piss up?
Darts is always a great way to finish off the Christmas break. Great darts this year. Hats off to Van Gerwen he’s a special player.
Jesus that was sick . Anderson could have went 3-1 up then bang he’s gone. Mvg is on fire , some darts
Even Taylor in his prime wouldn’t be able to live with this, well deserved title considering the year he had and would’ve been a travesty if he didn’t win it. Great effort by Gary Anderson also he is the only one that can worry MVG and he could still win another one or two.
I love Anderson but MVG really deserved it, unbeatable at the minute
Barney deserves a serious mention too, was truly heartbroken after the semi but the best man won in the end.
murt barney was feeling sorry for himself bit of a whinger in fairness (wonderful player)
Serious athletes
I assume you mean that as a joke? Haha
Your a top athlete yourself Gearoid,
The man is a machine
Bit like yourself ger
How athletic are you David? F*****g keyboard warrior!
I wouldn’t be an Olympian, but I can run a bit and lift a bit. You know, a reasonable level of fitness for an average thirty something male? Keeps the waist under the 34″
Plenty of ppl can lift doesn’t mean there athletes Dave.
Never claimed I was an athlete, I just insinuated that Darts players are not athletes. Darts is not a sport. It’s a game, albeit an entertaining one.
is it a shirt you lift David
Looking forward to Gerry Adams inevitably winning the junior B darts now on bbc…
Good old Wolfie
haha Gerry Adams,not on the BBC anymore im afraid.i think BT have it this year.
channel 4 for live afternoon coverage Glenn.
The lad that ran on stage and robbed the trophy was the highlight for me
He showed more athleticism than the two lads
He will have a sore jaw and ribs by the time those bouncers turfed him out the door
And rightly so. Tosser. Great match though.
Incredible that these lads get 350k for throwing a few sticks at a board. Anderson got a spanking in the game – but even so was laughing and joking away in a final, would never see a footballer happy with finishing 2nd on the World Cup/Euros. Not a sport, they are slobs.
And you’re an egg… You cracked wh**e like to see you be that accurate… Now off on the fitness regime your wife has you on and cycle to your rubbish job like the rest of us… They are no doubt laughing at you!
@An Ubh: Anderson laughing as hes good spirited and he knew he lost to the better player on the night would you prefer to see him bitter and resentful like yourself?. Throwing sticks is stupid description. If so isnt Soccer kicking a ball into a net, isnt formula one driving around in a ring isnt brain surgery just having a root around up there to remove the bad bits??. Can describe anything at all in a flippant way.
Great comment above me there, the egg is clearly a jealous imbecile
With finishing like mvg had he must have Tipperary blood , lethal finisher
Thanks Dave
Van Gerwan, is on PED’s. Look at the physique on him.
@Derek o keeffe: Agreed, think they made his hair fallout and do something to his voice too. Wonder if the Russian hackers will raid WADA files on himself & Taylor!!