Gibbes determined to cut Ulster error count for derby battle

Ulster are still a little bit in shock after their defeat against Zebre last Saturday, which saw them knocked off their leadership perch, so they will need to knuckle down before an improving Connacht outfit come to Belfast in the first of the Guinness PRO14 Conference Irish derby clashes on Friday evening.

Ulster will again be without Springbok Marcell Coetzee, whose career as a rampaging No 8 is in serious doubt, while Ireland’s Jared Payne, who has not played since the Lions tour to New Zealand due to a nerve injury in his neck, is also extremely doubtful.

Head coach Jono Gibbes, however, was in no doubt that individual and unit skills were mostly to blame for the 27-23 defeat in Italy, where Ulster were lucky to salvage a losing bonus point at the death. Gibbes knows that Ulster will need to produce their top game against Connacht.