The Irish need just one point to secure third behind England and France, and Fogarty says that is motivation as they travel to Scotland.
"I think they are energised by ending on a high. It's always really tricky over in Scotland," said Fogarty.
"They want to finish on a high and go straight into a World Cup campaign in a good place. That has been a real focus."
Fogarty added that Ireland "should be all good" in terms of fitness ahead of the game in Edinburgh, and prop Niamh O'Dowd will be available for selection after missing the win in Wales through injury.
However, Fogarty said the final Six Nations game will come "a bit too soon" for wing Beibhan Parsons, who has missed the tournament through injury.
Ireland ended their four-year wait for an away victory in the Six Nations in Italy earlier in the competition and backed that up with a win over Wales.
Despite the bonus-point win, Fogarty says there was "a slight frustration" with a number of errors that handed Wales possession.
"Probably the 22 errors where we just handed the ball back to Wales. That was frustrating for us [as coaches] and equally for the players.
"That shows the growth of where they are at now and they know what they can deliver on the pitch.
"It's good they are like that, the players wanted to get in this week and put it right."
Ulster's Lowry and Moore ruled out of Sharks gamepublished at 15:01 22 April
15:01 22 April
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Lowry and Moore were both taken off with concussion in the defeat against Leinster
Full-back Mike Lowry and centre Stewart Moore have been ruled out of Ulster's United Rugby Championship [URC] game against Sharks on Saturday.
Lowry was stretchered off in the 41-17 defeat against Leinster in the URC last weekend, requiring treatment after he tackled Robbie Henshaw in the build-up to Tommy O'Brien's try at the Aviva Stadium.
He was taken to hospital, but Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said after the defeat that his scan was "OK".
He will miss the home game against Sharks as he recovers from the neck injury sustained and from concussion.
Moore was forced off in the opening 10 minutes of the Leinster loss after suffering a concussion and will be absent this weekend.
Ulster also have a number of other injury doubts ahead of the Sharks game that they must win to boost their URC play-off hopes but Murphy said only Moore and Lowry have been ruled out at this stage.
Stuart McCloskey dropped out of the starting team in Dublin after picking up a groin injury in the warm-up, while Rob Herring [calf] and Callum Reid [knee] had to go off injured in the bruising defeat.
John Cooney also has an ankle problem before what would be his final home game as an Ulster player before departing for Brive in the summer.
"Quite a number of the lads who came off [against Leinster] trained and quite a few others sat out," said Murphy of Tuesday's session.
"We haven't ruled anybody else out.
"We'll give them until Thursday to see where they're at. We just have to wait and see."
O'Connor and Warwick among Ulster departurespublished at 12:48 22 April
12:48 22 April
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
Alan O'Connor and Andy Warwick have combined for 419 Ulster appearances
Alan O'Connor and Andy Warwick are among eight players who will leave Ulster Rugby at the end of the 2024-25 season.
The pair are two of 11 players who have represented the province more than 200 times.
Dublin native O'Connor, who has regularly captained the side, joined Ulster in 2012 after representing the Ireland Under-20s and was named the side's player of the year in the 2020-21 season.
Warwick, who came through the club's academy, made his senior debut in February 2014.
"Al [O'Connor] and Waz [Warwick] have been superb role models in the way they go about their work with a no-nonsense attitude and total commitment to the jersey over the years," said Ulster's general manager Bryn Cunningham.
"Both players hit the milestone of reaching over 200 caps for Ulster Rugby earlier this season, becoming members of that special club."
As well as previously confirmed exits for John Cooney, Kieran Treadwell and Reuben Crothers, prop Corrie Barrett, scrum-half Michael McDonald and flanker Matty Rea will also be departing Kingspan Stadium at the end of the season.
Ulster host the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship (URC) at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday evening needing a victory to keep pace in the race for the league's play-off spots.
Head coach Richie Murphy feels that a last home game for some "incredible servants" to Ulster should provide added motivation.
"For those guys that are leaving, the last chance to play here in this stadium is a big moment for them," he said.
"From the rest of the group, it probably focuses us in a little bit more. This is a huge game no matter what because we're fighting to get into that top eight.
"A little bit of added spice should be a good thing for us in relation of getting us on the edge."
Ulster play-off chase like 'three finals' - Murphypublished at 08:28 21 April
08:28 21 April
Andy Gray BBC Sport NI Journalist
Media caption,
Highlights: Sheehan hat-trick as Leinster overpower Ulster in Dublin
Head coach Richie Murphy says Ulster face "three finals" in their bid to reach the United Rugby Championship play-offs.
Their defeat by Leinster on Saturday leaves Murphy's side in 10th place in the standings, two points outside the all-important top eight.
Ulster host the Sharks in Belfast this weekend and finish their campaign away to Munster and Edinburgh.
"Yeah, it definitely is," Murphy said when asked if Saturday's final home game of the season was a must-win for his side.
"It's very hard to know what you need to get into the top eight but 47 or 48 points will probably do it.
"We're on 37 at the moment, so we'd be pretty happy with 10 or 11 points. Whether that be three wins or picking up a couple of bonus points, it's going to be very tight."
After three consecutive league wins, Ulster had moved into sixth place heading into last weekend but have dropped to 10th after the 41-17 defeat by runaway leaders Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.
Murphy will also have to contend with a number of injury concerns heading into the final stretch of the regular season, with backs Stuart McCloskey, Stewart Moore and Michael Lowry all injured in Dublin.
Props Callum Reid and Andrew Warwick were also injured in the defeat, while hooker Rob Herring was replaced at half-time.
"We always said we would take each game as it comes," Murphy added.
"Our big worry is what state our troops are going to be in.
"I know they will bounce back mentally and we can physically freshen them up, but it's just where we sit with injuries."
Things to work on despite 'huge' win for Irelandpublished at 19:03 20 April
19:03 20 April
Media caption,
Women's Six Nations: Wales 14-40 Ireland
Ireland back row Aoife Wafer says Sunday's 40-14 win in Wales in the Six Nations is "huge" but there are still things to improve.
Forwards Linda Djougang and Dorothy Wall also touched down twice as Ireland ran out comfortable winners.
"It's huge. We can take a lot out of that but we can also build on it," Wafer told BBC Sport after the game.
"We gave Wales some really easy ins at the breakdown in the first half and that put us defending when we wanted to attack. So there's a lot to build on."
Ireland need just one point from their final fixture in Scotland to secure third place in the Six Nations table for the second year in a row.
While still a level below England, who ran out big winners in Cork in round three, Ireland have shown improvement against France in their opening and followed that up with a first away win in the tournament in four years when Scott Bemand's side defeated Italy in Parma.
The victory over Wales was another step in the right direction, and Ireland will look to finish on a high away to Scotland, who are fourth in the table, as their World Cup preparations continue.
"Winning away is tough, so to do it in Parma and Wales, we can take a lot from it," added Wafer.
"The crowd were brilliant, so to quieten them down and put on our own game is something we can take from it into our final match."
'My goal has always been the World Cup' - Scuffil-McCabepublished at 09:57 20 April
09:57 20 April
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
Scuffil-McCabe will make her first start of this year's Six Nations against Wales on Sunday
Women's Six Nations: Wales v Ireland
Venue: Rodney Parade Date: Sunday, 20 April Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Coverage: Watch on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online, listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru
Ireland scrum-half Molly Scuffil-McCabe said that her goal has always been to secure a place in Scott Bemand's squad for this year's Women's World Cup.
Scuffil-McCabe will make her first appearance of this year's Six Nations against Wales on Sunday.
And she is hoping to impress enough to earn herself a place at the World Cup in England which kicks off in August, as she battles with Emily Lane for a starting berth.
"My goal has always been the World Cup then working past that," she said.
"I've put a lot of work into this World Cup being the one I want to be involved in and that has been my 'why' the last few years."
The 27-year-old said she will assess "what's next" in terms of club rugby after the World Cup.
She currently splits her time between playing domestically in Ireland with Railway Union and Leinster, as well as in New Zealand with Manawatu Cyclones.
Aiming to spend three months at a time in each country, she says the experience in New Zealand has been eye-opening in a rugby sense.
"I'm hoping to go for permanent residency over in New Zealand, I had a small stint with the Hurricanes before I came over which was really nice, a good level and good to see a few more of the Black Ferns and see their structures," she explained.
"I've enjoyed how much of a different environment it is in one way, but I also love coming back here, I try do my hard work over there to be my best here.
"I was a lifeguard over there, so I took a job where I worked three days and trained four days, so it was enough to cover everything."
Ireland managed two wins in the Six Nations last year as they finished third.
They have already beaten Italy this year and with games against Wales and Scotland to come, Scuffil-McCabe says the team are targeting three wins in this campaign to secure third place again.
"Looking at last year, what we want to do is push on and get those three [wins] and focus on our own performance," she added.
"We determine what success is for us, but we will definitely want to push on to those wins."
Bulls edge past Munster in Thomond Park battlepublished at 19:15 19 April
19:15 19 April
Andy Gray BBC Sport NI Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Munster currently hold the final play-off position while the Bulls stay third
Munster (10) 13
Tries: Abrahams Con: Crowley Pens: Crowley 2
Bulls (10) 16
Tries: Coetzee Con: Goosen Pens: Goosen 2, Johannes
Keagan Johannes kicked a late penalty as the Bulls edged past Munster with a gritty 16-13 win in the United Rugby Championship.
After Jack Crowley landed an early penalty, the Bulls scored the first try of the game when Marcell Coetzee flew over the line from close range and Johan Goosen converted.
The Bulls extended their lead when Goosen landed a long-range penalty as the rain began to fall in Limerick.
Backed by their vocal home support, Munster pushed for a score before the break and their pressure was rewarded when Thaakir Abrahams skipped over in the corner, and Crowley curled in a superb conversion to level the game two minutes before the break.
Goosen's penalty nudged the Bulls back in front but the South Africans had Embrose Papier sent to the sin-bin for not retreating 10 metres as Munster looked to take a quick penalty.
Crowley soon levelled the game with a kick of his own and there was nothing to separate the sides heading into the final 10 minutes, as the game was interrupted by a period of 14 against 14 and uncontested scrums after an injury to Munster's replacement prop Stephen Archer.
Referee Andrea Piardi and his officials then deemed it should have been 15-a-side and both teams were restored to their full compliment, with uncontested scrums still in place.
Replacement Johannes pulled a penalty wide as the Bulls missed an opportunity to retake the lead, but he made no mistake at the second time of asking with seven minutes to play after Alex Kendellen's high tackle on Ruan Nortje.
It was a first defeat in 11 home matches against South African opposition in the URC and leaves Munster in eighth place, while the Bulls remain third.
Munster: T Abrahams; S O'Brien; T Farrell, A Nankivell; A Smith; J Crowley; C Murray; J Wycherley, N Scannell, O Jager; J Kleyn, T Beirne; T Ahern, J O'Donoghue, A Kendellen.
Replacements: L Barron, M Donnelly, S Archer, F Wycherley, R Scannell, P Patterson, D Kilgallen, R Quinn.
Bulls: D Williams; C Moodie; D Kriel, H Vorster; S de Klerk; J Goosen, E Papier; JH Wessels, A van der Merwe, W Louw; C Wiese, R Nortje; M Coetzee, J Kirsten, C Hanekom.
Replacements: J Grobbelaar, S Matanzima, M Smith, JF van Heerden, N Carr, Z Burger, K Johannes, S Jacobs.
Late drama as Connacht fall short against Stormerspublished at 17:02 19 April
17:02 19 April
Andy Gray BBC Sport NI Journalist
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored a hat-trick of tries in the first half for the Stormers
Santiago Cordero had a last-gasp try ruled out as Connacht fell to a 34-29 defeat by the Stormers in Cape Town in the United Rugby Championship.
After Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who had earlier scored a hat-trick of tries, sent the Stormers five points clear with a late penalty, Cordero thought he had levelled the game with the clock in the red.
However, a TMO intervention ruled that hooker Dave Heffernan had impeded a tackle earlier in the play and the Stromers held on to win a pulsating fixture.
The win moves the Stormers into the top eight, which would secure a play-off, while Connacht jump into 11th with their try-scoring and losing bonus points.
After Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored a superb opening try inside 60 seconds after darting through a gap, Connacht responded as Shane Jennings crossed out wide after good hands from the Irish backline.
The Stormers hit the front when Evan Roos crashed over off the back of a scrum, but Connacht drew level when Conor Oliver bundled over after more pressure in the 16th minute.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu had a stunning opening 40 minutes and grabbed his second try when he made a break and found back row Paul de Villiers, who returned the pass back inside which allowed the sprinting fly-half to score unchallenged.
The best try of the half came moments later when Feinberg-Mngomezulu again found himself in space. He chipped the ball over Piers O'Conor, collected his own kick and scored to complete his hat-trick and secure the bonus point for the Stormers.
However, Connacht refused to go away and Dylan Tierney-Martin rounded off a maul to pull a score back, and Jennings grabbed his second try of the game with the final play of the half, but Carty could only push his conversion wide as the Stormers held a two-point lead at the break.
The scintillating rugby by the Stormers continued after the restart when the South Africans powered into the 22 after a big break by Seablo Senatla, moved it quickly through the hands and Feinberg-Mngomezulu produced a ridiculous no-look pass out the back for Suleiman Hartzenberg to touch down in the corner.
The Stomers pressed for a sixth score but repeated infringements by Connacht near their own line saw centre Cathal Forde sent to the sin-bin.
However, Connacht held firm and it was soon 14 against 14 as Warrick Gelant was shown a yellow card as his attempted intercept went forward.
Connacht's resilience was rewarded when Josh Murphy powered over but Carty could only strike the post with his conversion, and the Stormers led by two points with 13 minutes to play.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu landed a long-distance penalty to move the Stormers five clear, but there was late drama as Connacht came up just short of the line through Sean Jansen and Jack Auinger dropped the ball with the tryline gaping.
That was followed by the final play of the game when replacement Cordero danced over to level the game with a conversion to come, but the TMO ruled that Heffernan had stopped Roos from tackling Carty earlier in the play and the score was chalked off, much to the frustration of the visitors.
Stormers: W Gelant; S Hartzenberg; D Du Plessis, D Willemse; S Senalta, S Feinberg-Mngomzullu; S Ungerer; A Vermaak, AH Venter, S Sandi; S Moerat, R van Heerden; P de Villiers, M Theunissen, E Roos.
Replacements: JJ Kotze, V Matongo, B Harris, JD Schikerling, L Nel, D Fourie, P de Wet, B Loader.
Connacht: P O'Conor; C Mullins; D Hawkshaw, C Forde; S Jennings; J Carty; B Murphy; P Dooley; D Tierney-Martin; F Bealham; O Dowling, D Murray; C Prendergast, C Oliver, P Boyle.
Replacements: D Heffernan, J Duggan, J Augnier, J Murphy, J Joyce, M Devine, S Cordero, S Jansen.
Ireland will not 'take Wales lightly' - O'Brienpublished at 09:25 19 April
09:25 19 April
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
O'Brien has started Ireland's first three Six Nations games
Women's Six Nations: Wales v Ireland
Venue: Rodney Parade Date: Sunday, 20 April Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Coverage: Watch on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online, listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru
Ireland fly-half Dannah O'Brien said that her side are "not going to take Wales lightly" in their Women's Six Nations meeting at Rodney Parade.
Scott Bemand's side are third in the table with one win from three games, while Wales are hoping for their first victory under new head coach Sean Lynn after defeats by Scotland, England and France.
The Irish won last year's meeting 36-5 in Cork, but O'Brien believes both sides have made massive strides since that game.
"Wales have a new head coach in, and they are a team that are continuously growing, and travelling away from home is a challenge, so we need to bring our game both sides of the ball," she said.
"We have come up another level and we're not going to take Wales lightly; they have progressed hugely in the Six Nations."
The 21-year-old says that the Ireland squad are familiar with many of the Welsh players having come up against them in the Celtic Challenge.
"We know what they're about, they're a power team, they have a difficult maul, and you can't go round them," she explained.
"They're a good physical team and we know it's not going to be an easy game."
O'Brien also hopes that Ireland can repeat elements from their last away performance, a 54-12 victory against Italy, in Newport on Sunday.
"Italy was a good example of us as a backline being more ambitious and pulling the trigger early in the game.
"You can't do that without a good pack so we want to grow our confidence as a backline and proving we can score multiple tries out wide."
Ulster 'raise game' against Leinster - McCarthypublished at 08:13 19 April
08:13 19 April
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
Joe McCarthy is an integral player for Leinster and Ireland
Coverage: Live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle and the BBC Sport website and app from 19:30; also live text commentary on the BBC Sport website
Ireland second row Joe McCarthy says he believes Ulster "always raise their game" when they face Leinster as the sides prepare to lock horns again at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.
Leinster are heavy favourites for the interprovincial derby and head into the match off the back of a 52-0 win over Glasgow Warriors in the Investec Champions Cup.
Leo Cullen's side lead the United Rugby Championship with 13 wins from 14 matches, while Ulster sit sixth after a recent resurgence in form.
"An interpro like this is great. I always find Ulster really raise their game against us and they will be looking to turn us over.
"We are not short of motivation for this game. We want to put on a performance for the fans and beat Ulster."
Leinster have momentum behind them and Saturday's quarter-final win over Glasgow in the Investec Champions Cup put their aggregate score over their last two-and-a-half European matches to 142-0.
McCarthy says the province's recent defensive record is "class" and Leinster plan to "attack teams with our defence".
"It feels really good that we have a bit of momentum with us, the pleasing thing is the lads are really hungry to get back to training," said the Ireland international.
"We want to rip into that and keep the momentum going. That's the good thing about the group, still hungry to improve.
"There will be no complacency here. We know we will have harder challenges ahead and we will have to be better, teams figure you out a bit more, so you have to be focused on improving."
Treadwell 'soaking up everything' before Ulster departurepublished at 22:32 18 April
Coverage: Live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle and the BBC Sport website and app from 19:30; also live text commentary on the BBC Sport website
Ulster lock Kieran Treadwell says he is "soaking up everything" in his last few months at the province.
Treadwell, who joined Ulster in 2016 from Harlequins, will return to his former side at the end of the season.
And the 29-year-old wants to savour his last few games in an Ulster jersey and inspire the province to a strong end to the season.
"You soak everything in, after Bordeaux I was like 'wow this is my last European game for Ulster,'" he told BBC Sport NI.
"I'm soaking up everything; the environment, the boys, the wins, the losses and the work we're doing on the training pitch."
Treadwell said that the mood in camp is "good" despite their 43-31 defeat against Bordeaux in the last-16 stage of the Investec Champions Cup last time out.
"We still have disappointment from Bordeaux, we felt like we actually could have put a few more shots together and scored a few more tries," he added.
"I think we are going in the right direction, stringing some good play together, and defensively we are making strides, so hopefully that can snowball into this week."
They face another tough assessment in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday as they face Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, but Treadwell, who starts the game on the bench, believes his side should look forward to the challenge.
"It's a different challenge and they pose different threats, but it is going to be a massive game, these games leading in are really important as the table is really tight and it's effectively play-off rugby now," he continued.
"I'd say they're one of the best, but most of the focus this week is going to be on us and how we can learn from Bordeaux.
"It's an occasion in a massive stadium and something we can be excited for but that we can't let get the better of us."
Captain McMahon returns as Ireland make five changespublished at 14:31 18 April
14:31 18 April
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
McMahon made her Ireland debut in 2018
Women's Six Nations: Wales v Ireland
Venue: Rodney Parade Date: Sunday, 20 April Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Coverage: Watch on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online, listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru
Ireland captain Edel McMahon's return is one of head coach Scott Bemand's five changes for Sunday's Women's Six Nations game against Wales.
McMahon missed last week's defeat by England through injury, but is recalled to the back row to replace Erin King, who earlier this week announced she will miss the rest of the tournament and the World Cup because of a serious knee injury.
Elsewhere in the pack, Siobhan McCarthy makes her first Test start as she replaces Niamh O'Dowd at loose-head prop.
Ruth Campbell is named in the second row as Fiona Tuite drops to the bench.
Enya Breen, who also missed the England game, returns to partner Aoife Dalton in midfield while Molly Scuffil-McCabe makes her first appearance of the tournament at scrum-half ahead of Emily Lane.
Ulster's Sadhbh McGrath and Claire Boles are recalled to the bench.
Wales have recalled back row Alex Callender following her return from a foot injury.
Ireland are third in the table with one win from three games, while Wales are hoping for their first victory after defeats by Scotland, England and France.
The Irish won last year's meeting 36-5 in Cork.
Line-ups
Wales: Jasmine Joyce; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (capt), Courtney Keight, Carys Cox; Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones, Jenni Scoble, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender.
Replacements: Carys Phillips, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Alaw Pyrs, Sian Jones, Lleucu George, Catherine Richards.
Coverage: Live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle and BBC Sport website and app from 19:30; also live text commentary on the BBC Sport website
Fit-again Cormac Izuchukwu and Jude Postlethwaite have been named to start for Ulster in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game against Leinster in Dublin.
Ireland forward Izuchukwu has been out since February with an ankle injury while Postlethwaite has been sidelined since March.
Izuchukwu replaces Kieran Treadwell in the second row and Postlethwaite returns to partner Stuart McCloskey in midfield after James Hume was ruled out earlier this week because of a back injury.
The only other change from Ulster's Investec Champions Cup last-16 loss to Bordeaux on 6 April sees Nathan Doak recalled at scrum-half, with John Cooney dropping to the bench.
As expected, Leinster have made a raft of changes after thrashing Glasgow Warriors 52-0 in last week's Champions Cup quarter-finals, with only wing Tommy O'Brien, centre Garry Ringrose and lock Joe McCarthy retained.
Caelan Doris, James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park are among those rested by Leinster boss Leo Cullen.
However, Ireland internationals Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong and Sam Prendergast, and South Africa's RG Snyman, are all named on the bench.
A three-match winning run in March moved Ulster up to the play-off positions in sixth spot as they defeated Scarlets, Dragons and Stormers, with the latter 38-34 win coming after the Irish province trailed 17-0 early on.
However, it remains a congested table with 13th-placed Connacht only four points behind Ulster.
Leinster have an eight-point cushion over nearest challengers Glasgow Warriors at the top of the URC table going into the weekend's action, having won 13 of their 14 fixtures to date.
Coverage: Live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle and the BBC Sport website and app from 19:30; also live text commentary on the BBC Sport website
Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber says he is expecting a bit of "spice" in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game with Ulster at the Aviva Stadium.
The URC leaders head into the match in top form after defeating Glasgow Warriors 52-0 in the quarter-finals of the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday.
After a difficult start to the season, Ulster have now won their last three URC matches in a row and have jumped up to sixth place in the table.
"I expect it to be a very hard and physical battle," said Nienaber, who was speaking before the Blues announced New Zealand centre Rieko Ioane would join Leinster next season.
"It's an interprovincial and there is a lot of pride and a lot at stake for the players.
"The two teams know each other and their strengths and weaknesses quite well so I expect it to be tight."
Leinster are set to be without injured Ireland trio James Ryan, Jack Conan and Ryan Baird for the game.
Leo Cullen's side have lost once in 20 matches this season in the URC and in Europe.
Their form has been so strong, the aggregate score of their last three European matches is a remarkable 142-0.
When asked if the games weren't competitive enough for Leinster, Nienaber said "it's a tough one to answer".
"The reality is when the opponent is in front of us, we can't change it, it is what it is," said the World Cup winning coach.
"For me making a comment that we aren't getting tested, what is that going to help? It is what it is and that is our mindset. We deal with it as best we can.
"Glasgow and Harlequins were tough, and we gave them a lot of respect as we will give to Ulster because they are quality sides and if you get it wrong they can put you away."
Bemand says Ireland will regroup from King blowpublished at 08:03 18 April
08:03 18 April
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
Scott Bemand indicated that squad skipper Edel McMahon and Claire Boles are in contention to replace injured Erin King against Wales on Sunday
Ireland head coach Scott Bemand is confident his squad will regroup from losing influential flanker Erin King for the remainder of the Six Nations and the World Cup later this year.
"It does affect you, but we understand injuries can happen," said Bemand, whose team play Wales at Rodney Parade on Sunday.
"The group have circled round her really well. Erin doesn't want us moping. She wants us to go out and put in a performance.
"We'll take a bit of Erin energy, we'll bring it to training this week and take it to Wales with us because she's still part of the group and around it."
Squad skipper Edel McMahon could slot back into the back row after missing the England defeat because of a knock, while Enniskillen native Claire Boles will be another option to come in for the unlucky King.
"We can't be reliant on one player. We've got to keep growing the depth. There are girls coming through," added the Ireland coach.
"Edel is back on line this week. Claire Boles has been outstanding through the camp and brings her own unique brand of open-side flanker. We've got some options. We're OK and we'll be able to put a performance out there."
Bemand revealed that King's injury is related to her cartilage rather than cruciate ligament damage, but it is still serious enough to end her hopes of featuring at the World Cup.
"The doctors said to her that they were surprised she could carry on, but she said it was just a niggle," added the Ireland coach.
"It actually deteriorated after the game. So it wasn't like she couldn't run around or move it during the game."
Ireland led early on against England in Cork. While England scored 42 unanswered points in the second half to win 49-5, Bemand felt that his team's first-half shortcomings were just as contributory to the ultimately heavy defeat.
"It's not just about looking at the second half. We've gone pretty hard at the first half because if we get that bit right and we're 15, 17-0 up at half-time, what does that England team talk look like at half-time?" he said.
"We could have had more scoreboard pressure in that first block."
Murphy 'relishing' starting role at Ulsterpublished at 06:47 18 April
06:47 18 April
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
Jack Murphy has started Ulster's past six games in all competitions
Coverage: Live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Foyle and the BBC Sport website and app from 19:30; also live text commentary on the BBC Sport website
Ulster fly-half Jack Murphy says that starting for the province and driving his side on is something he "relishes".
The 20-year-old has established himself at Ulster this year after arriving last summer from Leinster.
Murphy has started Ulster's past six games, scoring his first try against the Stormers last month, and he believes he is growing in confidence with regular game time.
"It's difficult coming in as a young guy, but the lads are really understanding with me, they want someone to drive them on and as an out-half that is your job and that is something I relish," he told BBC Sport NI.
"Getting a run of games has been massive for me, playing at that level in Bordeaux and in URC games, it's a higher level than what I have ever played so to get that experience is really good, and it has helped me grow as a player."
Murphy says that he is "settling in really well" to life in Belfast and is not fazed by being coached by his father Richie Murphy at the province, having worked with him in a professional capacity before.
"In the [Ireland] under-20s last year he was coaching so I got used to that then and it's not a thing really, he is strictly my coach when I'm in here."
The young fly-half is preparing for a return to his former side at the weekend as Leinster host Ulster in the United Rugby Championship (URC) at the Aviva Stadium.
Murphy says that it will be a "special" occasion but that his side are focused on picking up a win which will help them move a step closer to qualifying for the URC play-offs.
"There's loads of teams around eighth, and even down as far as 13th the points are really close, so we know picking up points is going to be vital over the next few weeks as it's really tight," he added.
"It's a good test for me and for the team to go against one of the best teams in the world."
Image source, Inpho
