Humphreys' joy at completed Italian job

The Ravenhill outfit enjoyed a rampant first-half and went in to the interval leading 27-3 following touchdowns from Andrew Trimble and Tom Court, either side of a penalty try.

Spirited Aironi came fighting back but Ulster finished in style with Craig Gilroy grabbing the bonus-point try before Robbie Diack and Adam Macklin added scores at the death.

The victory sees Ulster top Pool Four two points ahead of second-placed Leicester Tigers and three-points above ASM Clermont Auvergne in third place ahead of the final two rounds of Heineken Cup action.

"We got five points out of the game, which is what we came here to do. Everybody was delighted to get the bonus point," said Humphreys.

"We are delighted to be sitting at the top of a very tough pool after four games. We knew we had to take 10 points from the past two matches against Aironi to give us a chance going into the final two games in the New Year.

"It is going to be a huge game at Ravenhill against Leicester and it will be just as difficult the following week when we travel to Clermont. It's going to be an exciting end to the pool stages and we are looking forward to it."

Humphreys was particularly pleased with the way Ulster handled the pressure as Aironi threatened a second-half comeback.

Ulster weathered the storm and scored three second-half tries to tie-up the bonus-point and put the result beyond doubt.

"We probably haven't been good at that in the past as the pressure starts to build but huge credit to the players for pulling the game back together again and closing the game out," added Humphreys.

"The messages coming on from the side line were about being patient and building through phases, and the players did that very well.

"The first half was as good as we have played this season. Every aspect of our game was pleasing, our set piece functioned well and we were patient when we had the ball. We took our chances when they came along which was very satisfying.

"In the second half we got off to a bad start and Aironi got a bit of momentum, so it was a bit frustrating for us. But the substitutions came on and did well and we managed to get the important tries at the end.

"Aironi deserve a lot of credit too because they played some great rugby, particularly in the third quarter."