Short turnaround for Ulster as they refocus attention back on Pro12

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A dull evening in Clermont turned even bleaker for the visitors after the first minute of play against Clermont Auvergne

They take on interprovincial rivals Connacht on Friday

There are just four days of turnaround time for Ulster as they look ahead to Friday night's showdown with interprovincial rivals Connacht in the Pro12.

The Defending Champions are eight points and three places behind the Ulstermen in the table, but the previous meeting between the sides ended in a 30-25 win for the home side in Galway.

It looks like forwards Kyle McCall and Pete Browne will miss the game through injuries sustained yesterday.

The titleholders have not enjoyed their best season, after winning the tournament last year, and the news of Pat Lam's departure to Bristol, but beat Wasps 20-18 in their cup victory at the weekend.

Director of Rugby Les Kiss says they'll be going up against a side coming into the game with confidence.

He rues not securing bonus points in yesterday's European Champions Cup clash away to Clermont Auvergne, and says they would have been a massive boost for his side.

They went down to the Top14 leaders 38-19 in France, after a 39-32 win in Belfast last weekend.

 

A first minute try for Isaia Toeava put the home side in the ascendancy, with Morgan Parra converting to make it 7 points.

That was added to by fullback Nick Abendanon, who also got over the line after seventeen minutes, his try also converted.

Ulster's deficit would be enlarged further with the former Bath man grabbing his second only minutes later, and the half time score was 21-0.

Any hopes of striking back immediately after the interval were dashed when they conceded yet another try, this time Camille Lopez breaking away from an interception.

A surge from the Ulstermen with two tries from Tommy Bowe and one from Franco van der Merwe weren't enough to stop the French side adding further points close to the final whistle.

The result leaves them eight points behind Clermont in Pool 5, and third behind Bordeaux.

Back row Sean Reidy says early mistakes ultimately cost them.

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