Tonight will measure just how far Ulster have climbed up the European ladder after their fall following the success of the 1998-99 season.
An away win against Treviso last week pointed towards some degree of rehabilitation following two dismal seasons when they failed to get out of the pool stages. Those last two years have seen Ulster play 12 European matches from which they have won one, drawn one and lost 10. That can hardly be good for provincial self-belief, although the Italian win had a significantly positive effect on the team.
Coach Alan Solomons has come in and freshened up the side, which tonight remains unchanged from last week, while opponents London Wasps make three changes to the team that lost to Stade Francais in their opening match.
The 26-year-old outhalf Alex King makes an important return for his first game this season, having picked up a niggling shoulder injury on England's summer tour to Canada and America. Shane Roiser developed a dead leg in the game against Stade Francais and is replaced by Paul Sampson - top try scorer in the Premier Division last season - on the right wing. In the pack, prop Darren Molloy makes way for Will Green.
Against Treviso, Ulster again looked to David Humphreys to kick them out of trouble, the outhalf collecting 23 points to take his European total to 203. That skill should again come into play as last week it was the six penalties and conversion of Argentinian Diego Dominguez which gave Stade the edge over Wasps and won Dominguez the man of the match award.
A strong Wasps back line contains two English internationals - Sampson and Fraser Waters - and Scotland's Kenny Logan. The presence of former All Black Ian Jones and England's Simon Shaw in the second row, and English back row Joe Worsley at number eight, points to all-round strength. Add a front row of All Black Craig Dowd and Green propping for English hooker Phil Greening and you can see the calibre of the side.
Last week Ulster found it hard to get their back line moving in a staccato-like match. Although Wasps are still without figurehead Lawrence Dallaglio, Jeremy Davidson and Gary Longwell will have to be at their best in the second row while back row Tony McWhirter, Russell Nelson and captain Andy Ward will face their toughest match for sometime.
Home advantage will have a bearing and the win in Italy will generate expectations. Wasps have not, despite the personnel, been playing that well. It is their potential that is formidable.
Still, if Humphreys is accurate with the boot Ulster will cause the English visitors problems.
