Huge task facing Ulster

Biarritz. French champions, seven internationals in the starting XV, a further two on the bench, unbeaten in the Heineken European Cup to date and already with an away victory over Cardiff succinctly articulates the magnitude of the task facing Ulster.

There is also the small matter of survival for the Irish province. Defeat tonight and their interest in the competition will be all but peripheral.

The glorious march to the 1999 Cup final and that memorable victory in Dublin has hung like a shroud over Ulster rugby teams in the interim. Coach Alan Solomons will be hoping that Ulster's traditional strength at home will manifest itself in another towering performance at Ravenhill because nothing less will suffice.

Andy Ward returns to start his first game following a long-term injury. This game will be won first in the trench warfare of the packs and in this respect Ulster's set piece play must be both precise and solid. Gary Longwell returns, Neil McMillan and Justin Fitzpatrick are in excellent form but it is to David Humphreys that Ulster inevitably turn. His placekicking is often the central tenet to any victory and also his ability to dictate the ebb and flow of a match.

Biarritz travel with the 'killer Bs' of (Nicolas) Brusque, (Philippe) Bernat-Salles and (Serge) Betsen in tow, latent quality, all internationals.

The win away to Glasgow was a timely psychological fillip for Ulster and there is just a sneaking suspicion that once again ensconced in fortress Ravenhill they can sustain that momentum with a narrow victory.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; J Topping, R Constable, J Bell, S Young; D Humphreys, N Doak; J Fitzpatrick, M Sexton, R Kempson; G Longwell, J Davidson; W Brosnihan, A Ward (capt), N McMillan. Replacements: S Best, P Shields, M Blair, T McWhirter, K Campbell, A Larkin, S Coulter.

BIARRITZ: N Brusque; P Bernat-Salles, M Stcherbina, J Isaac, P Bidabe; J Peyrelongue, D Yachvilli; E Menieu, JM Gonzalez, D Avril; D Couzinet, JP Versailles; S Betsen, T Lievremont, C Milheres. Replacements: J Campo, D Minassian, O Roumat, T Soucaze, L Mazas, G Bousses, M Etcheverria.

Referee: T Spreadbury (England).

Previous meetings: None.

EC formguide: Ulster - lost 32-9 Northampton (a); bt Cardiff (h) 25-6. Biarritz - bt Cardiff (a) 26-15; bt Northampton (h) 23-20.

Leading try scorers: Ulster - S Young 1. Biarritz - C Milheres, T Lievremont, P Bernat-Salles, J Peyrelongue 1 each.

Leading points scorer: Ulster - D Humphreys 26. Biarritz - D Yachvilli 29.

Odds (courtesy Paddy Power): no handicap. 10/11 Ulster 16/1 draw 10/11 Biarritz.

Forecast: Ulster to win.

Ulster v Biarritz

Ravenhill, 7.30, BBC 2