Ulster Rugby general manager Rory Best says "there's not a huge panic from my point of view" despite the province's winless start to the United Rugby Championship season.

Speaking at the opening of a new high performance centre at Coleraine Grammar School, Best admitted results have fallen short of expectations but remains confident the province can reverse its fortunes.

In the opening block of games, Ulster lost to Edinburgh, Bulls and Stormers and drew with Glasgow and Munster.

"There are lots of good things in what we've done," said Best.

"The problem is we've mixed that with some average stuff at times, whether that's not starting games as well as we'd like or discipline.

"We're a few points behind where we'd like to be, but we need to make sure we're not just ignoring the fact we haven't got a win. We're very aware of that."

The former hooker, who won what was then the 2006 Celtic League title with Ulster, added: "If you stand still for long enough, somebody tells you. You don't need to go too far away from it, but there's not a huge panic from my point of view.

"My view is always how we make sure that in the short, medium and long term we're moving forward."

Former Ireland captain Best says the international window offers Ulster the chance to regroup with Richie Murphy's side not in action again until 5 December when they travel to Cardiff.

"For us it's about making sure we know where we're at and how we're constantly trying to get better," he said.

"What did we do that was good? How do we build on that? What did we do that was poor and how do we make sure we really push hard to improve in that and be better in this next block?

"It's professional sport. It's pressure. You get that all the time. Even if you're on a run of wins, people are reminding you of how many wins you've had in a row and the pressure of keeping that going comes in."

Best, who was appointed general manager last year, added: "If you're worried about a little bit of pressure, then professional rugby isn't for you.

"That's all external noise. What's important is what we're doing to make sure that we're continually improving.

"We'll spend the next couple of weeks nailing that down and putting measures in place to make sure that the next block goes, in terms of wins on the board, a lot better than it has so far."