Ulster head coach Brian McLaughlin hailed his side as heroes after their hard-fought European Cup win over ASM Clermont Auvergne.

McLaughlin's men battled back from 6-11 down at half-time to see off the star-studded French giants as they kept their three-year unbeaten European Cup home run very much alive in Pool Four.

Ulster haven't tasted European defeat in Belfast since a 26-10 loss to Stade Francais in October 2008 but they had to dig deep to start their latest continental campaign with a morale-boosting win.

"We have a superb record here at Ravenhill in the European Cup. We're very proud of that record and to add a team like Clermont to that list is phenomenal for us," said McLaughlin.

"It was a superb display, an unbelievable display from everybody.

"In the first half we made errors, but we were creating opportunities. We set a very straightforward plan at half time and the boys stuck to it and got their rewards in the end.

"We knew we were well in the game at the break and that the longer we could stay in it, the more chance we would have. And that's what we did.

"It was a 23-man effort and there's no doubt that the boys are heroes."

McLaughlin refused to single out any one player for particular praise on a memorable afternoon in Belfast despite a huge individual display from Stephen Ferris and a 16-point haul from Ian Humphreys.

But he did admit that the introduction of replacement full back Adam D'Arcy - a substitution that changed the course of the game - was the latest indication that Ulster's squad is growing stronger every year.

Ulster lost marquee signing Jared Payne to a season-ending injury early in their domestic campaign but D'Arcy was the talk of Ravenhill after his brilliant break set Humphreys on the way to the crucial try with 11 minutes remaining.

"I'm not a big man for singling out individuals. All the squad deserve great credit for their efforts but we know what Adam's capable of," added McLaughlin.

"You only have to go back to last year at Bath in the European Cup when he went through their defensive line and scored. Today he set it up for Ian.

"He's a very talented rugby player and, as we keep emphasising, our squad depth is improving. We're not 100 per-cent down the line as far as that's concerned but when you're able to bring a guy like D'Arcy off the bench, it's certainly very helpful."