Best and Ulster not throwing in the towel

British & Irish Lion Rory Best insists he and his Ulster teammates have only themselves to blame for what is likely to be an early European exit this season. [more]

Best and Ulster not throwing in the towel

British & Irish Lion Rory Best insists he and his Ulster teammates have only themselves to blame for what is likely to be an early European exit this season.

Best and co have only won once this season in Europe and are struggling in a pool that is topped by defending champions Toulon, with Leicester Tigers and Scarlets scrapping for the runners-up berth.

Ulster topped their pool last year in Europe but Best, who toured Australia for the historic Lions series back in 2013, is adamant he and his teammates will not be throwing in the towel.

"I think the frustrating thing for us is losing at the Scarlets – a win there would have just put everything in our hands," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

"It would have left us with two wins from our last two games and we'd have definitely qualified.

"So that's frustrating but there's nothing we can do about that now.

"So we'll probably have to rely on other teams for results to go the way we want.

"There's still a chance, it's slighter than we'd like but where there's still a chance so we'll fight for it.

"All the groups are so tight, and with everyone beating each other, who knows what points tally teams will get through with in second place.”

Previous story No.8 Heaslip raring to return
Next story Barritt returns to help Saracens thrash Munster