Ulster hooker Tom Stewart admits "I don't think I've come to the party well enough" and says the squad must have "honest conversations" after an underwhelming start to the season. Successive draws with Glasgow and Munster, following a loss to Edinburgh, leave Ulster winless in the United Rugby Championship before they begin their Challenge Cup campaign away to Zebre next week.
Head coach Richie Murphy said he was "bitterly disappointed" after his side had to fight back for a 26-26 draw with Munster, while Stewart questioned his own contribution to the game in Belfast. "From a personal point of view, I'm not happy with my performances about it," said Stewart, who captained Ulster against Glasgow and Munster in the absence of the injured Iain Henderson. "I don't know if it's my preparation or the mental side to the game. It's something I really need to have a look at and plan better."
Stewart, who marked his seventh Ireland cap with a try against Japan over the summer, said he needed to watch back his intent in some of the collisions and his process around what he was doing. He added that the group needed to hold honest conversations this week with players and coaches to see where they stand.
Ulster travel to Zebre on Saturday (15:15 BST) before heading to South Africa for difficult URC assignments against the Bulls and Stormers. Stewart insisted Ulster "can't shy away" from their shortcomings as they look to kick-start their season. "You don't want to look at the hard stuff, the nitty-gritty that you haven't done well, but that's where you find the fixes, the learnings," the 25-year-old said.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing