Ryan refuses to be carried away

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan refused to be carried away despite seeing his side launch their Heineken Cup campaign with a 32-14 win at Ulster.

The Cherry and Whites scored five tries in the first 20 minutes to hit the ground running to record a thumping victory following an error-strewn display from the hosts which could have dealt a mortal blow to the former cup winners’ hopes.

With a bonus point in the bag from his opening game, Ryan remained phlegmatic over the result and where it may take the current Guinness Premiership leaders as their European campaign unfolds.

“We’ve got enormous challenges ahead with the Ospreys coming to Kingsholm next week,” he said, “Today was a good image of us getting confidence into our game and doing what we wanted to do.

“I wasn’t surprised by the way we played in that opening period and we had talked about it and, really, I thought we were outstanding,” Ryan added.

“I wouldn’t want to single anybody out as the guys played really well, but, for an attacking threat Iain Balshaw took the lead.”

Gloucester led 29-14 at the break and added a solitary penalty from man of the match Ryan Lamb, who Ryan also praised, in the second half.

Reacting to his side’s lack of points in the second 40 minutes, Ryan said: “I think it’s difficult to be so far ahead but I thought we looked composed and were able to sit it out.”

Ulster’s assistant coach Steve Williams reflected the downbeat mood in a camp where head coach Mark McCall is now under mounting pressure.

“Of course we’re under pressure, it’s the nature of the job and that’s all I want to say on that,” Williams said.

“We were out of the game with 20 minutes gone. We made basic errors and we were punished. They had world class players and they punish you if you make errors. They got exceptional scores from our errors,” Williams added.

“The players showed character in the last 10 minutes of the first half and showed there is belief there. We showed glimpses of what we’re good at.

“At half time the players were determined to pull together and we went out with a bit of belief and salvage some pride.”

Ulster defensive coach Neil Kelly reflected the mood.

“We’re a bit shell-shocked. Gloucester capitalised on our mistakes and were very clinical.”