Bernard Jackman believes the departure of Jared Payne has played a big part in Ulster's dreadful mid-season form which has seen them lose five of their last six games in all competitions.
Dan McFarland's side have been in free-fall since the start of December when they surrendered a 22-3 lead against Leinster to lose 38-29 at the RDS, with further defeats to Sale Sharks, La Rochelle, Munster and Benetton, the only win in that time being a nervous 22-20 victory at Connacht, in which the hosts missed a conversion to secure a draw with the final play of the game.
Saturday's defeat to Benetton was just their second ever defeat to the Italian side, and while Marco Bortolami's side needed a late penalty to secure the win, they had been ahead of Ulster for much of the game in Treviso.
With an average of 29 points conceded per game across the last six fixtures in all competitions, the province's good defensive efforts earlier in the season appear to be coming unstuck.
Notably there was a change in defensive coach in the off-season, with Jared Payne departing after four years in the role to join Clermont, with another former Ulster player - Jonny Bell - coming in to replace him.
And Jackman says Payne's absence is being felt this season.
"Speaking to some players who have worked under him [Payne], they're missing him badly," Jackman told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.
"The problem is that because they're defensively porous, they've become incredibly reliant on their lineout maul, which is a weapon, but when they come up against teams like Sale, La Rochelle or Leinster, it's nowhere near as useful as it is against some of the smaller sides.
"Their attacking game has fallen away, and when we look back at Ulster in the last couple of years under Payne, their attacking game didn't always function, but their defence was enough to keep them in games, whereas now both sides of the ball they're floundering.
"If things don't turn around, Dan (McFarland) will have to take a look at the make-up of his staff"
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"It's not a criticism of Jonathan Bell, but it was easier for Jared because he was a player [recently], he had a unique way of looking at it, he was big into getting the players excited about defence. I'm not saying Jonny Bell isn't doing that but it's been a step backwards there. The pressure is on.
"If things don't turn around, Dan [McFarland] will have to look at the makeup of staff."
Prior to their second half collapse against Leinster, the province had won six of their first seven games to start the season, with the only defeat seeing them pick up a losing bonus-point against Leinster, in a game they came very close to drawing.
Former Ireland international Ian Keatley says they're still reeling from the confidence blow of that loss at the RDS.
"I know they're third in the URC, but the confidence [is the issue], it's come from that Leinster game where they were cruising," he said.
"It's like someone said to them before that match: 'if we win this match we'll win the URC and Europe, and if we don't, we're going to cave'. It's the power of confidence, it's so easily lost.
"That's why sports psychologists... every club should have one, every player should be going to see one. And not even every player, every person should see one, because it's such a fickle thing, the brain.
"I can't see them winning in these two European games, but I think if they do lose this weekend, they should just look at going out against Sale and play rugby, because that's what they're good at.
"People are calling for Dan McFarland's head now, bit he's done such a good job with them."
Like Keatley, Jackman agrees McFarland is the right man to steer the province back on course, with the former Scotland assistant having enough credit in the bank over the last four seasons.
"Dan is being questioned, in some quarters, and he shouldn't be. The Ulster he took over was in a really bad place, with turnover of coaches, Mark Anscombe, Les Kiss, Neil Doak, Jonno Gibbes. They just need some stability now, and just calmly plot their way out of the wobble they're in.
"They need to use this two-week block as a way to regain momentum and confidence, and I'm sure that's what they're going to try do.
"If they don't circle the wagons and show some resilience, La Rochelle could become nasty. La Rochelle have blown away teams down there when they don't come in a good place. It's a worrying time," Jackman added.
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