Ulster v Stormers: Irish province ‘can’t sit back on laurels’ after reaching Challenge Cup final

Ulster have no interest in resting on their laurels after reaching the European Challenge Cup as they prepare to face United Rugby Championship leaders Stormers, says forwards coach Jimmy Duffy.

The Irish province beat Exeter Chiefs 29-12 in last weekend’s semi-final to reach their first European decider since the 2012 Champions Cup.

But with home matches against the Stormers and second-placed Glasgow Warriors to come over the next 10 days, Duffy insists the squad are fully focused on securing a top-eight finish and passage into the URC play-offs.

“We enjoyed it, I suppose, for what it was, and then Sunday got into the review, Monday park it with the players, and then today we’re all on to Stormers,” said Duffy, who will leave Ulster at the end of the season.

“You can’t sit back on your laurels too much at this point of the season.

“As I said to one of the boys earlier, the games come thick and fast, you’ve got between seven and 14 games, depending on how well you go in the competitions, so you don’t really have time.”

While Ulster have continued to deliver in Europe, their URC form has dipped with back-to-back defeats by Leinster and Munster.

And with Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale and David McCann added to the injury list, they must overcome a Stormers outfit which put 48 points on Glasgow last time out when the sides meet at Affidea Stadium on Friday (19:45 BST).

“They’re top of the league as we stand and for very good reason,” added Duffy.

“They’ve got a massive forward pack, real attacking threats across the backline, very physical, very smart rugby players, a lot of existing Springboks and guys who will be Springboks,

“It focuses the mind very, very quickly when you look at the quality of the opposition, so we are under no illusions it’s going to be a huge task, especially after last weekend, to make sure everybody is physically and mentally ready to take on the challenge that’s in front of us.”