No time for Ulster to live in the clouds - McIlroy

Ethan McIlroy insists Ulster remain confident of securing a top-eight finish in the United Rugby Championship despite a recent downturn in results in the competition.

Successive defeats by Leinster and Munster have dropped Richie Murphy's side from third to eighth with two games left before the play-offs.

But while winning the European Challenge Cup final against Montpellier later this month would secure the province's return to the Investec Champions Cup, McIlroy says the players still believe they can compete for silverware on the domestic front.

"It's not really in our thoughts right now [not making the top eight]," said the 25-year-old back-three player.

"We all believe and we're all confident we can at least make the top eight if we put good performances out against the Stormers and Glasgow at home."

McIlroy, who missed the first half of this season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury he picked up against Leicester in January 2025, helped Ulster reach their first European final in 14 years after replacing Jacob Stockdale at half-time in the semi-final win over Exeter Chiefs.

And while the former Ireland Under-20 international said there was a great buzz in the dressing room after the Exeter game, he says the squad have their feet back on the ground as they prepare to welcome URC leaders Stormers to Affidea Stadium on Friday (19:45 BST).

"You have to come back right back down to Earth," he said.

"You're told pretty quickly that's where you need to be. You walk in on Monday, there's obviously still an excitement around the place and it's special, but there's no time to be living up in the clouds.

"It's the Stormers, who are top of the table, coming here and it's a pivotal game with where we are in the table, getting top eight is still a massive thing for us."