Stephen Ferris didn't hold back in his criticism of Ulster after their disappointing loss to Leinster in the RDS last weekend.
Stephen Ferris was looking back at last weekend's dramatic game, with Ulster losing despite being ahead 22-3 at one stage of the game and Leinster down to 14 men after Cian Healy's red card, Leinster somehow found a way to earn a 38-29 bonus point victory over Ulster.
Victory for Dan McFarland's side would have put them right behind their provincial rivals at the top of the table, but defeat seen them slip back to fourth place in the URC.
It was the same old story for Ulster on the biggest occasion, as they came up short when it really mattered. Speaking to Balls.ie in partnership with Ladbrokes, Stephen Ferris was at a loss as to what exactly led to Ulster's downfall in the defeat to Leinster.
"Ulster were flying for 37 minutes against Leinster, and let's call it what it is, they capitulated. They were humiliated in the end as well.
I've been there. I'm not just saying this lightly, I've been in those lads shoes. I was there in the Heineken Cup final, where we got our backsides handed to us, time and time again. It was embarrassing, to send your supporters home with such a big defeat.
Obviously the score line isn't the same as it was, but it almost feels very similar, on how they hung in for large parts in the game. They just folded when the pressure came on, being in that situation sometimes you just don't have an answer.
Why did they go like that? Is it game management, is it certain players, is it all the HIA's? Did they get ahead of themselves? It's really difficult to put your finger on how Leinster crawled their way back into the game."
Stephen Ferris On Champions Cup
Ulster supporters will be hoping their side can produce an immediate response as they take on Sale Sharks in the opening weekend of the Champions Cup this Sunday. Leinster face a difficult tie away to Racing 92, while Munster host Toulouse, in a repeat of their heart breaking penalty kicks loss in April.
While a Ulster victory would be huge for their morale, Stephen Ferris claims they could be in for a tough test this weekend, especially with key players set to miss their European opener.
"It will be really interesting to see how it affects them going away to Sale this weekend. John Cooney got absolutely sparked out last weekend against Leinster, he probably isn't going to play.
James Hume went off with a HIA, Tom Stewart went off with a HIA, Iain Henderson the club captain went off with a HIA. All those players didn't return.
It's going to be very interesting firstly what the team sheet is for Ulster, and secondly if they can pick themselves up, dust themselves down and get back to winning ways, against a Sale team who will prove to be very resilient at home I'm sure."
SEE ALSO: Rugby Fans Confused As Cian Healy Red Card Overturned
