Humphreys: All to play for

Ulster are still alive in the Heineken Cup despite the heavy 35-15 defeat to Biarritz, according to director of coaching David Humphreys.

A brace of tries from Takudzwa Ngwenya as well as scores from Manuel Carizza and Sylvain Marconnet sealed maximum points for the French giants while Andrew Trimble and Stephen Ferris crossed for late consolations.

But Humphreys insists the big-spending Irish province have a great chance of qualifying from Pool Four.

Humphreys said: “The competition is still wide open.

“We said at the start of the campaign that we needed to win all our home games, pick up a bonus point win at Aironi and try to get some points at Biarritz and Bath. We have four games left and there is plenty to play for.

“We were unbeaten before this game but we weren’t a great side.

“And we’re not a bad one after one game as we’re in a transitional stage. We won’t lose heart. We have to keep improving and make sure we’re ready for Bath in December.

“We’re aspiring to be a top team. We haven’t been making the number of errors we did today in previous games.

“This side must keep improving but we’ve got good players, some top-class internationals who are proven at the highest level.

“We have started the season very well in the Magners League and it’s now a big challenge for us to return and continue our form in that competition.

“There are four big games left but, although we are bruised and battered from this experience, we are now down and out.”

Ulster were tied at 3-3 heading into the break despite missing a series of chances.

Then 15 points from Dimitri Yachvili nudged the home side out of sight to leave the visitors empty-handed.

Humphreys said: “The game really showed the difference of experience in Europe between Biarritz and ourselves.

“We should have been 12-15 points clear but it was a different game in the second half.

“They came out, scored a good try before Yachvili dominated the game.”

Biarritz coach Jean-Michel Gonzalez said: “I wasn’t happy with our first-half performance and told the players at half-time. But we were much better in the second period.”