“Instead of conceding points, regrouping and working your way back into the game, it’s almost like a panic mode hits in.”
As Ian Humphreys sums up, and in a familiar story of Ulster’s season, it was a disappointing night at the office against Leicester in the Investec Champions Cup.
It had started well for Ulster, too, as Richie Murphy’s youthful side – chasing their first points in Europe this season – raced into a 10-point lead at Welford Road.
But after Leicester hit back, Josh Bassett scored in the final play of the half to give the English side a lead they would not relinquish.
What followed has become a worrying trend as Leicester scored five more tries to make it 38 points on the board without reply.
It is familiar territory for Ulster. Against Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship in October, they conceded 21 unanswered points as they squandered a 19-0 lead to lose 21-19.
After a hammering by European champions Toulouse, Bordeaux scored 26 points on the bounce to hand Ulster another defeat, despite Murphy’s side having been in the game for much of the contest.
“It will be very disappointing, especially after such a good performance away to Connacht last week,” Humphreys said on BBC Radio Ulster.
“They came here with high hopes and the first half looked really good. For me, the frustrating and concerning thing is how quickly they seem to snowball.
“I’m not sure if it’s panic or a lack of experience in certain positions.
“They concede a try, they concede a penalty, they concede a try and then the game is gone within the space of five or 10 minutes.”
