Caretaker coach Steve Williams saw Ulster lose to Bourgoin

The Irish province had led 14-3 in the first half only to lose 24-17.

"We put ourselves in a position to win the game but we stopped being positive and tried to defend," said Williams.

"In the second half we just tried not to lose as opposed to going out there and trying to score again and win. It is a lesson we have got to learn."

Skipper Rory Best admitted they had let a good opportunity slip through their grasp.

"We got a good cushion but, possibly because of the way things have gone, we went a bit negative and tried not to lose instead of pushing on and trying to win," he said.

"We knew we could do something special, and that was win in France for the first time as an Ulster team.

"At half-time we had that belief but credit to Bourgion because they kept coming and coming.

"We need to piece together an 80-minute performance.

"It has been a hard week and we felt we had to do it for Mark McCall because he had to carry the can for our poor performances."