Gareth Steenson

Let's get a few niggles out of the way.

Let's make sure we're not actually having to chase on that front.

And I think it's a big, massive learning for Ulster as well.

just to be in and around that environment because it's a new thing for Ulster Rugby it's a new thing for the supporters just to be involved in these sort of games at this time of the year because this is whenever things get won and this is when it's the most important time to actually get themselves ready and I think actually yes it'll feel a little obviously it's very deflating when you get to a final and you don't come out the right end of it but when you actually look back and reflect on it

And where they were 12 months ago, would you have taken these opportunities?

Now, they'll be frustrated, obviously, that their season has come to an end.

And they've actually, you know, they had a chance to get silverware.

But I think actually the way they've kind of progressed and what they've done, they've actually now can add layers to it.

They've been involved in a final now.

They now know what it feels like to be part of a business end of the season.

And I think it's only going to be great for them going forward.

That doesn't take away from the fact, though, in the middle of the game, there was a strong team they were coming up against.

And you could see that.

It just felt after 15, 20 minutes that it was a bit similar to the Champions Cup final.

It was a little bit inevitable.

I think they've got to be, first of all, they've got to be making sure they get into the Champions Cup for the next season.

So that top eight, they're going to be looking around, probably around that sixth, seventh, eighth place, making sure they're in.

Obviously, they'll want to try and target getting a home game.

But realistically, where they are, you've got to go, that's where they're at from a Challenge Cup point of view.

I think it's a competition that, again, they should be looking at going and blooding a little bit, getting a feel for it.