Win over Scarlets keeps Ulster in the mix, says coach Neil Doak

Dan Tuohy congratulates Ulster try-scorer and man-of-the-match Darren Cave

Ulster Head Coach Neil Doak says his side's bonus-point win over the Scarlets "keeps them in the mix" for a European Champions Cup knockout place.

First-half tries from Darren Cave and Ruan Pienaar were supplemented by Tommy Bowe and Rory best scores in the second period as Ulster ran out 24-9 winners.

"We knew what we needed to get done and I'm very happy with that," said Doak.

"We now need a similar result in Wales - we're under no illusions as to what we need from our last three games."

The victory saw Ulster increase their tally to six points in Pool Three, having lost their opening two fixtures against Leicester Tigers and Toulon, with just one bonus point to show for their efforts.

"The guys deserve great credit, they stuck at it. When we played territory we put them under pressure and got the scores on the board.

"With the conditions I thought it was going to be difficult but our set-pieces gave us the platform we needed to work off.

"Ruan (Pienaar) and Dan (Tuohy) were outstanding on their return to action after injury but we may now have a few more players out - we'll have to wait and see, but our resources are stretched."

"A few boys aren't looking good for next week and we'll have to see how they come through over the next 48 hours," the Ulster coach added regarding the injury enforced departures of Stuart Olding, Stuart McCloskey, Franco van der Merwe, Nick Williams and Wiehahn Herbst.

The Irish province visit Parc Y Scarlets next Sunday knowing that they require another five-point haul to retain realistic hopes of qualifying for the last eight of Europe's premier club competition for the fifth year in a row.

"We got the bonus point and if we can pick up something over there it means the last two games could be in better reach than the first two were.

"It was key we got the bonus and it gives us a fighting chance next time. We talked about getting four wins to at least get us there or thereabouts."