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Forwards coach Jimmy Duffy says Ulster are not keen to rest on their laurels after reaching the European Challenge Cup to face United Rugby Championship leaders the Stormers.
The Irish province reached their first European qualifier since the 2012 Champions Cup after beating Exeter Chiefs 29-12 in last weekend’s semi-final.
But with home matches against the Stormers and second-placed Glasgow Warriors in the next 10 days, Duffy insists the squad is fully focused on securing a top-eight finish and passage into the URC play-offs.
“We enjoyed it, I think, for what it was, and then went into the review on Sunday, parked it with the players on Monday, and then today we all went to the Stormers,” said Duffy, who will leave Ulster at the end of the season.
“At this point in the season you can’t sit on your laurels too much.
“Like I said to one of the guys earlier, the games come thick and fast, you’ve got seven to 14 games depending on how well you go in the competition, so you don’t really have time.”
While Ulster have continued to deliver in Europe, their URC form has dipped with crushing defeats to Leinster and Munster.
And with Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale and David McCann added to the injury list, they must overcome a Stormers side that scored 48 points in Glasgow when the teams meet at Aphidia Stadium on Friday (19:45 BST).
“We stand and they are top of the league for a very good reason,” added Duffy.
“They’ve got a huge forward pack, real attacking threats across the backline, very physical, very smart rugby players, lots of existing Springboks and guys who will be Springboks,
“It focuses the mind very quickly when you look at the quality of the opposition, so we’re under no illusions it’s going to be a huge task, especially after last weekend, to make sure everyone is physically and mentally ready to take on the challenge ahead of us.”
