Mark McCall made no excuses for the league defeat in Scotland

"It was a very disappointing display - we didn't wake up for half-an-hour," said McCall.

"We played better in the second half but kept turning the ball over and we couldn't hold on to the ball long enough to score."

Ulster backs Kieron Dawson and Bryn Cunningham both picked up ankle injuries in the Murrayfield game.

"On the night we made too many mistakes," added McCall

"At this level if you make as many mistakes as we did, especially in crucial areas of the pitch, you don't deserve to win.

"We lacked composure. There was good build-up play to the 22 and then we tried to force passes.

"We dropped passes and turned over the ball. We allowed their number seven to have a big influence on the game and he was very influential in the breakdowns."

McCall also paid tribute to Ulster and Ireland hooker Simon Best, who was rushed to hospital in France on Wednesday night after developing a loss of sensation down his right side.

Best has been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat but has now been given the all-clear by doctors in Bordeaux.

"Simon has been one of the key figures for Ulster in the last couple of years," said McCall.

"He is unbelieveably popular among the players and fans and ehat has happened has been a big concern to everyone.