'That's going to knock us' - McFarland on Ulster defeat

Dan McFarland admits his Ulster side will have a hard time overcoming Saturday's defeat to Leinster.

The province threw away a 19-point lead in the final 45 minutes at the RDS to eventually lose by 11, while they also played the majority of that time with a man advantage, after a red card in the first half for Cian Healy.

When Ethan McIlroy scampered down the right wing to finish Ulster's third try on 35 minutes, they looked on course for a statement win against Leo Cullen's side, that score pushing them 22-3 in front.

However, the momentum flipped in the final five minutes of the first half, Ulster conceding a cheap penalty for a high tackle, which Leinster eventually turned into a Rónan Kelleher try, before bullying their opponents 28-7 in the second half.

As you would expect, McFarland cut a frustrated figure after the match, and he admitted they played their part in allowing Leinster complete the comeback.

"We were definitely on the backfoot in that third quarter," he said.

"We probably fuelled their confidence with a try just before half time, the field position there was avoidable, and then the field position we gave them in the second half was probably avoidable as well.

"Momentum is a funny thing in rugby, especially when you are playing in a place that is as difficult to win as it is here.

"That's hard to take. Definitely, that's going to knock us. We’ll have to get our heads down and review and refocus. Nothing like a European game away from home to refocus the mind."

And although the Ulster boss laid much of the blame at his side's door, he was quick to praise Leinster for how well they rallied after going a man down so early in the game.

"It [the red card] obviously affects Leinster. They took off a winger and left