Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has said his side's advancement to the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup is a "fantastic achievement".
Coach says quarter-final appearance "has been a long time coming"
Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has said his side's advancement to the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup is a "fantastic achievement".
The Irish province secured their place in the last eight for the first time since they won the trophy in 1999 after beating Aironi 43-6 on Saturday.
That was not enough to clinch top spot in Pool Four, though, following Biarritz's bonus-point triumph over Bath.
Ulster finished level on 22 points with the pool winners but missed out due to an inferior head-to-head record.
However, their own bonus-point success was sufficient to clinch one of two places in the last eight as best runners-up.
McLaughlin said: "It's a fantastic achievement that has been a long time coming for everyone involved with Ulster over the year.
"It's a smashing day for us and we'll just have to wait for the outcome of the other games to see what the story will be in the quarter-final. But to be involved at that stage is a magnificent achievement.
"In terms of Biarritz winning, well you can never rely on anyone else to do a job for you. You have to do it yourself so we came here to win and push for the bonus point and maybe that would keep things in our hands.
"But all credit to Biarritz - they are a very good team."
Pedrie Wannenburg scored twice in a man-of-the-match display while tries from Andrew Trimble, Chris Henry, Simon Danielli and a penalty try secured the win.
Ian Humphreys also kicked 13 points but what became a rout was still very much in the balance when Ulster took a slender 10-6 lead into the break.
Reward
McLaughlin said: "We came out of the blocks in the first half and got an early penalty. We also scored a nice try but then we let Aironi come back at us.
"We forced the game too much. We turned over ball at vital times and that put pressure on ourselves. But we stood strong in the second half, kept control and finally got the reward."
The turning point came when Wannenburg crossed in rapid succession at the start of the second half, with Ulster subsequently easing away from their opponents.
Aironi coach Rowland Phillips said: "We competed very well in the first half but then the power of the Ulster pack took its toll. I think we have acquitted ourselves well in our first ever Heineken Cup campaign."
