Best: Mistakes to blame for Ulster loss to Clermont

Ulster’s Champions Cup hopes lie in the balance following a 38-19 defeat to Clermont at Stade Marcel Michelin.

Tries from Isaia Toeava, Nick Abendanon (2) and Camille Lopez saw Ulster trailing 28-0 at the break. The Ulstermen hit back with scores from Tommy Bowe (2) and Franco van der Merwe, before a yellow card for Paddy Jackson and a penalty try for Clermont saw the French side guarantee victory.

The win leaves Clermont top of Pool 5 on 17 points, with Ulster third on nine points, tied with Bordeaux, and desperately clinging to their qualification hopes.

Ulster captain Rory Best, bearing war wounds on his face and visibly disappointed, blamed his own team’s mistakes for the costly defeat in his post-match interview.

"We gave them an early try and got the crowd into the game and then our mistakes cost us another couple of tries. If you give chances to a quality side like them, they are going to score,” said Best.

"We talked at half-time about trying to own the second half and clawed our way back, but we are massively disappointed. We came here hoping to win.

"Our failure to perform in the first 20 minutes probably cost us a losing bonus-point and a couple of turnovers in the last five or six minutes were also costly."

Ulster face Exeter away and Bordeaux at home in their remaining two Pool 5 encounters knowing they must take two wins at a minimum if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the last eight.

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