Kiss credits Ulster’s resilience for faultless start

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BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - NOVEMBER 20: Les Kiss (2nd L) Ulster Director of rugby pictured before the European Champions Cup Pool 1 rugby game at Kingspan Stadium between Ulster and Saracens on November 20, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Ulster boss Les Kiss believes mental toughness has played a big part in helping his team win their first four games of the PRO12 season.

Ulster beat Glasgow Warriors last Friday to go top of the standings in a tough game in which the visitors had to stage a late comeback to clinch victory.

Kiss told the Belfast Telegraph he was pleased to note his team didn’t panic and lose their way after falling behind.

“When they went ahead I couldn’t understand how after the dominance we’d had,” he said. “To stay strong and stay on track, keep strong at the breakdown, stay tough and hard – all those things came to pay for us in the end.

“I thought it was a really great result. It was a really great win and I’m very happy with our whole team but the forward pack in particular.”

Ulster’s forwards have been impressive so far in the wins over Scarlets and Glasgow and Kiss was impressed with their effectiveness at the breakdown.

“The previous week we focused on it and, while we started the game well, we didn’t really finish it,” he added. “This week we actually just emphasised it a little more, I thought we were better on both sides of the ball, so really happy with that.

“I thought our forward pack, and the replacements that came on, did a really good job in terms of making sure we kept up the pressure in that area.”