Ulster Rugby remain without a win in their first four United Rugby Championship matches this season, but head coach Richie Murphy insists the team is close to turning their form around.
The province lost to Edinburgh, drew with Glasgow and Munster, and fell to the Bulls in South Africa, leaving them just one point outside the play-off places. Murphy acknowledged his side have been "digging a bit of a hole" by conceding early leads in each game, yet they have fought back each time.
"We're not quite getting the results that we wanted, but we're in every game," Murphy said. "We're playing against top-class opposition and we're fighting for everything we can get. It's really important that we don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. We will stick to our process and stick to what we believe in."
Ulster secured a victory over Zebre in their Challenge Cup opener, and Murphy believes the squad can compete with the best teams in the league. He emphasized the need for consistency and slight improvements in areas such as breakdown work and passing quality.
The team faces the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday (12:45 GMT) in the second leg of their South African double-header. The Stormers are expected to field Springbok stars including Siya Kolisi, Evan Roos and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Ulster will be without nine players called up for Ireland's Nations Championship fixtures in November: Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Robert Baloucoune, Nathan Doak, Jamie Benson, Tom O'Toole, Tom Stewart, James McNabney and Nick Timoney. Experienced hooker Rob Herring and centre James Hume, along with returning wing Zac Ward, are expected to fill the gaps.
Murphy described the absences as "a different headache" but expressed pride in the players' international selection. Benson, a versatile Irish-qualified former England Under-20 international, and McNabney, who returned from a year-long ACL injury, received their first senior Ireland call-ups.
