'I can't take any more of this... that rut is getting deeper'

Former British & Irish Lion Stephen Ferris has issued a scathing assessment of Ulster's latest loss, a narrow URC defeat to inform Benetton in Italy.

The Italians secured a 31-29 victory over Ulster at the Stadio Monigo, thanks to a late penalty from Rhyno Smith.

The win was Benetton's third in a row and moved them into the top five of the United Rugby Championship, above Munster. Tomas Albornoz, Onisi Ratave, and Ignacio Brex scored for Benetton, while Ulster responded with tries from Eric O'Sullivan, Rob Herring, Mike Lowry, and a penalty try. Ulster dominated play early on and O'Sullivan scored his second try for the team, but ultimately Benetton had enough in the tank to bank a major victory the green and whites.

After a disappointing loss to Munster at home, Ulster were looking to add to their impressive tally of away wins this season, but it wasn't to be for Dan McFarland's faltering side.

Ulster legend Ferris was dismayed by their latest disappointing showing after a bright start to season.

“I can’t take any more of this. Really disappointing. As an Ulster fan, and somebody who follows them week in and week out, that rut is getting deeper,” Ferris said.

“Take out their maul, they’re offering nothing in attack. They can’t hold onto the ball well, their multi-phase seems to be all over the shop, defensively they’re just not sound.

“I can’t just point my finger on something that’s not making Ulster click. There are just so many different things.”

Ulster promising much in the first of the season only to inexplicably collapse when the business end of competitions comes around has become a depressingly frequent scenario for fans of the Irish province to endure.

Ulster will travel to Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle to face the reigning European champions in the Heineken Champions Cup next weekend, leaving them with little time to feel sorry for themselves.