Ulster lock Alan O'Connor has warned his side must stop shooting themselves in the foot this season.

The province take on Cardiff in the PRO14 on Saturday afternoon (3pm) looking to bounce back from last week's error-strewn loss to Scarlets. That defeat saw them fall to third in the Conference B standings.

"Every time we exited after a good set of defence we gave away stupid penalties and they would be straight back on us," said O'Connor. "We actually started really well and then we just shot ourselves in the foot again and again.

"There is a lot of contact in the game now but we need to play in the right areas of the field, make sure we exit when we should and that we are nice and tidy when we do. Hopefully we can make other people tackle for a change."

Ulster have been without their Irish internationals but could have a handful, including Rob Herring and Stuart McCloskey, back in the mix this week.

Belfast Telegraph