David McCann says Ulster failed to cope with challenging run-in last season as province aims to start new campaign in winning style

Ulster only won three of their last 10 United Rugby Championship games and none after the resumption of the European campaign, meaning for a second consecutive season Richie Murphy’s side missed out on a top-eight finish and Champions Cup rugby.

In Europe, Ulster did reach the Challenge Cup final but suffered a record 59-24 defeat to Montpellier in Bilbao.

“I think if you look at who goes far in both those competitions, they usually have a very deep squad,” said McCann.

“We were maybe in a situation where we got a few injuries and we were relying on people who hadn't played as much.

“It's a slightly more inexperienced team but I think we're in a far better position this year, we've got more experienced people who played a lot last year who maybe hadn't played before but yeah, you need a lot of depth to challenge on both fronts.

“You need a bit of luck as well. I think the injuries came at the wrong time for us, missing people for the final and the run-in.

“I think we've worked on being repeatable in our pre-season, having the foundations maybe a bit stronger so we can continue throughout the season.

“I think last season was very disappointing, it took us a while to get over it, but it was probably where we were at.

“We didn't have the depth to go in both competitions, which was disappointing – I think we're in a far better position,” added McCann.

“People are more experienced and we've brought some people in, so [last season was] disappointing, but also a reality check to where we need to be, especially for the final.”

Ulster made nine signings in the off-season and McCann hopes the summer recruitments will be the missing link.

“I think at the end of last year, maybe we got caught a bit light at times in the squad, so having that increased competition and depth is huge for us,” he said.

“I think you play your best rugby when you're maybe under pressure for your position, or you're in and out of the team because there's rotation, so it's only a good thing for us.

“I think you just need to keep getting better at everything, but what you're good at – if you deliver consistently on that – that makes you reliable, that makes you trustworthy, so for me it's just about being consistent and striving to get better at everything that maybe isn't the strengths of my game.”

What was evident from pre-season is that Ulster are trying to make their maul a potent attacking weapon again and McCann believes it will flourish under new forwards coach Clarke Dermody.

“I think the maul was such a strong thing for us for years,” he said. “Last year, it maybe dried up a little bit but it's still something we can rely on and this year, I think ‘Derms’ is definitely trying to make that something we can go to consistently.

“It's interesting to always get another set of eyes, so he can be quite different to other forwards coaches, which is great; it allows you to grow in other ways that you probably haven't been challenged before.

“He puts a lot of emphasis on scrum, that's probably his area of expertise, but then at lineout, he focuses on being fast, which I like. Tthat suits me, so it's been great to get that sort of knowledge.”

Ulster: 15-9 – M Lowry, R Baloucoune, B Carson, J Benson, A Arenzana-King, J Murphy, C McKee; 1-8 – E O’Sullivan, J McCormack, E Bello, E Snyman, B Donnell, D McCann, M Moloney, J McNabney

Replacements: H Walker, T McAllister, K Knox, H Sheridan, J McKillop, M Devine, J Flannery, Z Ward