Ulster forward Cormac Izuchukwu says the Irish province’s players were “massively heartbroken” after ending their United Rugby Championship season with a 47-17 defeat away to Edinburgh.
Ulster’s hopes of qualification for the quarter-final play-offs and Champions Cup rugby next season had been ended by a defeat to Munster last week.
However head coach Richie Murphy and his players had indicated before their trip to the Scottish capital a desire to give a winning send-off to the squad members who will depart from the club at the end of this season.
Long-serving forwards Kieran Treadwell and Andrew Warwick were handed starting roles for their swansong appearances.
They are two of eight players leaving the northern province, along with John Cooney, Alan O’Connor, Reuben Crothers, Corrie Barrett, Michael McDonald and Matty Rea.
In the event, Edinburgh put Ulster to the sword, scoring seven tries on their way to ensuring their passage to the last eight of the URC.
“We’re massively heartbroken. It was a pretty poor performance to give the lads who are leaving. They deserved so much better and not an ideal way to top off a tough season.
“It’s hurting massively. There are boys in there who have been playing for us for 10 years and going out and giving them that send-off hurts me too. It’s something we’ve got to live with.
“I thought we had moments in the game when we were good but we found it hard putting those together and the game got away from us.”
Izuchukwu hopes a youthful Ulster squad can take lessons into next season.
“The lesson today we take was just a loss. Hopefully next year we can use that to fuel us to kick on.
“I think for us, especially with having a squad that is so young, it’s just about having the appetite to turn up and give 110%.
“We don’t have massive depth now but hopefully next year we can keep blooding lads, keep building a squad and keep moving forward.”
