\n<\/p>\n
There is also the argument that Ulster are victims of their own success.<\/p>\n
As a reward for an upturn in form, the province were heavily represented in Ireland’s Six Nations squad.<\/p>\n
A proud moment for those associated with the club, but it did deprive key players of the mid-season breather they normally would have had.<\/p>\n
For the final, Ulster were missing their four longest-serving players. Captain Iain Henderson was suspended, while Stuart McCloskey – so influential for both Ulster and Ireland – was injured along with Jacob Stockdale and Rob Herring.<\/p>\n
Of the team that started in Bilbao, Timoney was the oldest player at 30. <\/p>\n
“There were eight players in Ireland camp and only two last year,” observed Murphy.<\/p>\n
“The rugby we’ve played, and reaching a European final, albeit not with the result we wanted, all of those things have had an impact on us making the top eight.<\/p>\n
“We have had to move our resources around and at this time our squad probably isn’t strong enough to compete in two competitions.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n