Ulster coach Neil Doak admits his side's European campaign is all but over following this evening's 22-13 defeat to Scarlets in Llanelli.
"It's going to be difficult to get out of the group. We have just got to see how the next two games go," said Doak, whose charges now sit in bottom place in Pool Three of the Champions Cup with six points.
Toulon top the group on 13 points, while Ulster lag behind Scarlets and Leicester who both have eight points.
"Obviously Toulon away is no easy ask and we will have to play particularly well to get something out of that.
"The boys have dug in well and hopefully with the injuries we have got we'll get a few bodies back in January. Hopefully that will be the catalyst to finish this phase off before the Six Nations."
Doak's side trailed 12-0 at the break but forced their way back into the game thanks to Darren Cave's try just after the restart.
Despite losing Declan Fitzpatrick to the sinbin they closed to within two points with eight minutes to go, thanks to the kicking of Ruan Pienaar.
The South African missed the 75th-minute penalty that would have put Ulster 16-15 ahead however, and James Davies' intercept try two minutes from time decided matters.
"We started the second half very well and got a try and nearly got another,” said Doak.
"First half was poor from our point of view with regards to discipline - 11 penalties to three. We talked about it especially in the conditions.
"Credit to the guys that they got back in the game - some good decisions by Luke Marshall and Darren Cave. It's just unfortunate we couldn't get that second try that would have taken us into the lead.
"These top European games are always nip and tuck especially in the conditions. So you have to get those chances and we just didn't deliver on the night."
