‘We’ve put things back in our control’ – Dan McFarland

Editor

Ulster boss Dan McFarland hailed their win over Racing 92 as “awesome” as they gave their Champions Cup qualification hopes a significant boost.

Victory gives Ulster a chance at topping Pool 4 but more importantly propels them to 18 points with one match, against Leicester, remaining.

Next Saturday’s visit to the already eliminated Tigers offers them a shot at rubber stamping their spot in the quarter-finals of the competition, with coach McFarland delighted with their showing against Racing as they beat the big-spending Top 14 giants 26-22 at Kingspan Stadium.

“In the context of who we were playing against and the excitement of the rugby and some of the execution of the plays, it is certainly up there,” he told BBC Sport after the win.

“When you add into that the atmosphere in the stadium then wow, it was awesome.

“We’ve put things back in our control. That’s how we’re looking at it. Forgetting the table, what a great place [Leicester] to try and go and win in a tight situation in European rugby.”

Racing 92 remain top of the pool with a three-point cushion over Ulster, meaning their fate remains in their own hands at home to Scarlets.

“We were unlucky here. But the bonus points will help us move forward from here,” said second-row Leone Nakarawa.

“We started a bit slowly but though we came back it was too late.”