Boss is behind the likes of Munster’s Tomas O’Leary and Peter Stringer in the queue for the Ireland No.9 shirt but did his chances the world of good with an outstanding display capped by a try.

And McLaughlin was quick to hail Boss’ influence on his 100th cap for the club.

“He's always in there at the coalface,” he said. “He was outstanding with the ball and without it but this was a great team effort.”

Boss also set up Darren Cave’s try while Ian Humphreys kicked eight points and Niall O'Connor added three to keep Ulster’s slim hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Ulster will need either Bath or Edinburgh to do them a favour against Stade Francais and Boss is holding out hope that the French giants do leave the door open for his side to sneak through.

He said: “There has been a lot of hype around us going into this game and now there is a chance for us next week. And where there is chance there is hope.

“Hopefully, Bath and Edinburgh can do a job for us and we can do the business next week. Bath is a bit of a fortress just like Ravenhill, but it's a great place to go and a great place to win.

“We have been up and down with our performances this season, but it was a big effort in the conditions against Edinburgh.”