Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe said his team ‘got out of jail’ as they held on for a 14-12 win away to Benetton Treviso, while try scorer Robbie Diack is targeting immediate improvements in the next round against the Dragons.
Ulster’s narrow victory in northern Italy, coupled with the weekend defeats for the Ospreys and Glasgow Warriors, means the province are now third in the RaboDirect PRO12 standings.
But if they want to stay in the play-off picture they will have to produce an improved display at home to the Newport Gwent Dragons next Friday.
Clearly frustrated that his side failed to build on early tries in each half against Treviso, Mark Anscombe insisted: “Other than the win, there are no other positives to take out of that performance. Our execution was appalling. There are no excuses – we were lucky to get out of jail.”
Victory over the Dragons in round 16 will further boost Ulster’s hopes of a top four finish, but following their below par performance in Italy back rower Robbie Diack agreed that they need to improve.
“I think we’re now looking forward to getting a bit of momentum from playing again. That’s the best way to rectify things, to just get back on the pitch as quickly as possible and try and fix it,” he said.
Blindside flanker Diack, who linked up with Sean Doyle and Roger Wilson in the back row, scored a 51st minute try against Treviso to add to Darren Cave’s opener in the 11th minute.
“We went through some phases and really anyone could have got that try,” he said of his second try of the league campaign.
“It’s nice to get a try but all you want is for the team to play well and I think in the last couple of games we’ve luckily come away with wins.”
Diack added: “We’ve got to now focus on the Dragons, they’ve got a good team and it’s going to be a massive confrontation. We’re just looking forward to being back at Ravenhill.”
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