The season was to end on a low note as they finished second from bottom in the league, albeit securing their place in the Heineken Cup next season, but losing a second successive home game against Cardiff Blues, 26-17.

And he blasted his team's defence for seeing another game slip them by.

"We missed some horrific tackles that cost us the game," said Williams (right).

"Week in, week out, we are missing more tackles than any other team in the league and when that is the case you are going to lose games that you should win."

"We were creative, exciting and did a lot with the ball but our error rate was awful. We should have won the game.

Williams admitted that although the new signings could not yet be confirmed, all the media reports circulating were fairly accurate, but he admitted there was a lot of work to do and people could not just expect the side to walk into the European quarter-finals next season.

"There are already high expectations from the fans. We just lost two games in a row in which we were the better team but have the worst defensive record in the league, so we have to fix that.

"Players have signed contracts but we have been asked by other parties not to reveal the names so we have to respect their confidentiality."

Reflecting on the defeat to Cardiff again, Williams said: "I have never coached a team that is so fatigued. The players were very tired all week and have had a hard season both internationally and with Ulster."

"The whole night kind of exemplified our year, with Kieron Dawson getting injured during the warm-up and then David Humphreys lasting less than 10 minutes.

"In the lead up to the game, we had to cut one training session short and cancel another altogether because the players were so tired.

"I think we are all happy that the season is over, so we can now draw a line in the sand and come back next September and start again."

The Ulster coach also thinks the new laws to be introduced next season will benefit his squad.

"The new laws that will come into place will really suit us as we are not a big team, but we are a very fit team, aerobically strong and that's what the new laws will produce.

"The big guys will lose a lot of weight because there will be a lot of running involved so I think we will be in pretty good shape in that regard.

"The new guys I am bringing in will give us plenty of professionalism and there will be some changes in the staff too. It will be good to have some new blood on board," said Williams.