One of the many talking points from last Friday's epic 38-0 tanking of Toulouse was the way Ulster's midfield partnership of rising star Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall gelled so effectively.
It was a particularly memorable evening for Marshall, who, with Darren Cave and Jared Payne sidelined, slotted into outside centre with notable ease and was even to be found loitering on the wing to get on the end of Ruan Pienaar's stunning cross-kick to score Ulster's third of five tries.
And amidst all the talk about weathering the fully expected Toulouse storm on Sunday at the Stade Ernest Wallon – Ulster really need something to stay in touch with Saracens' march in Pool One – there is the pressing matter of Marshall's future at the Kingspan.
Highly congested
The 24-year-old, who won the last of his six Ireland caps during the summer tour to Argentina in 2014, is out of contract at the end of this season and may find himself the odd man out in what is a highly congested Ulster’s midfield.
In a career already blighted by injuries and concussion issues, Marshall has not enjoyed a sustained run to stake his claim and even this season has been out of action with a thumb injury.
“At the minute I’ve no idea [if I’m staying at Ulster] and we’ll see what happens,” said Marshall. “I’m negotiating at the minute but there’s nothing firm. Obviously being a local boy this is the club I’ve always wanted to play for.”
“I feel it’s definitely a place where I’ll improve as a player but I suppose I’m just weighing up everything and seeing what offers come my way. In these European games you want to play well and with me not playing particularly well last season and all the injuries, I’m under pressure to produce.”
While admitting that contract negotiations are a tense time, Marshall also emphasised just how much it means to him to be fit and in the team.
“Ideally you just want to focus on rugby, but when there are other things going on inside your head it does make things a bit trickier. But it’s part of the sport. I’m really enjoying my rugby and getting a run of games so for me that’s the main thing,” he added.
On Sunday Ulster will attempt to nail what would be a rare and hugely valuable back-to-back European victory, never mind attempting to do it against a French side for the first time in the competition. They also know that even with their game in hand they have to take something from Toulouse, who will be intent on both vengeance and retaining a lifeline in the competition.
“They’re in a pretty similar position to where we were after losing [at home] to Saracens. We were hurting a lot and had to produce a big performance.
Front up
“We’ve just got to front up and take everything that comes our way,” Marshall said.
Though Ulster have won in France before – at Castres in January 2013 and most notably in Montpellier that autumn with Marshall in the team – it has traditionally not been a happy hunting ground, with their record 60-22 defeat in the competition coming at Toulon last January.
Even though Toulouse are unbeaten at home in this season's Top 14 and have already seen off Oyonnax in Europe, they were defeated at home in last season's Champions Cup group stages by Bath and, the campaign before, famously fell in front of their own disbelieving supporters to Connacht.
Regardless of the past, Ulster, and Marshall, know what’s coming but will still travel with more than just hope.
