Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss has praised the way his players approached the game against Clermont. 

The province enjoyed a 39-32 victory in the European Champions Cup clash, contributing five tries to the nine try thriller at Kingspan Stadium.

Speaking to Newstalk's Oisin Langan after full time, Kiss described Saturday's encounter as a "special day".

"It was a special day, no doubt, playing a big team like Clermont," he said.

"We needed to make sure we had the right attitude and the right energy and the right focus. I think the boys delivered on that. 

"They're a massive team, not only size-wise but the budget they have, the players and the depth they have. But today we put on a jersey today that mattered to the boys and we went out there and delivered."

Kiss was satisfied with the way Ulster performed in attack but feels there are things to work defensively after conceding four tries and 32 points against the French side. 

"We created reasonable speed of the ball at the ruck which gave us the chance to attack the way we like to. Certainly, there's a little bit more work to do on some things I think and we'll work on that. Defensively, both teams I think will be looking at their defence. We let [Wesley] Fofana have too much space in that first half," he said. 

"When we dominated with a bit of possession and field position, we hurt them. That's pleasing. But the last 15 minutes worries me. We gave away a few penalties, albeit I don't think [Wayne] Barnes saw both sides there as equal as I would have liked. But that's the way it goes. And we held out."

He added that Barnes "read it as he saw it" and that Ulster need to be better in those situations.