Ulster pack must perform

The priority for Ulster is to rediscover the winning habit and while their preference would be to do so in the Magners League, tonight's Heineken European Cup tie offers an chance to reacquaint themselves with that feeling.

New coach Matt Williams has gone back to Australia but will return at the end of the month to take up his two-and-a-half year contract. He has been involved at training sessions but it is his namesake, Steve, who is charged with continuing to oversee team affairs as the latter has done since Mark McCall's departure.

The Welshman has named the same team selected for the postponed Munster game, handing the captaincy to Italian international Carlo del Fava. David Humphreys is at outhalf with former underage international Paul Marshall winning a starting role in the number nine jersey. Paddy Wallace moves to the inside centre role as Williams tries to engineer some midfield creativity that can unleash wings Tommy Bowe and Simon Danielli.

It is the pack that will dictate how well Ulster will fare and they need to bring a greater dynamism to their play. New Zealander Grand Webb is the latest player to fill the number eight role in the continued absence of the injured Roger Wilson and Stephen Ferris.

The home side have lost all four of their European games to date, two at Ravenhill, and won't want to court a whitewash as they travel to Kingsholm in the final round.

Bourgoin have proved more obdurate on their travels this season but a victory still looks within Ulster's compass; at least on paper.

ULSTER:B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, P Wallace, S Danielli; D Humphreys, P Marshall; J Fitzpatrick, N Brady, D Fitzpatrick; C del Fava (capt), R Caldwell; M McCullough, N Best, G Webb. Replacements: B Young, S Philpott, J Harrison, D Pollock, I Boss, N O'Connor, M McCrea.

BOURGOIN:F Denos; M Nicolas, Y David, N Carmona, J Coux; M Parra, M Forest; A Tchougong, R Vigneaux, O Sourgens; J Pierre (capt), C Wyatt; J Frier, A Petrilli, W Jooste. Replacements: J Genevois, P Cardinali, M Rennie, B Monzeglio, M Viazzo, A Forest, F Romanet.

Referee:James Jones (Wales).

Results for far (HC 2007-2008):Ulster lost to Gloucester (h) 32-14; lost to Bourgoin (a) 24-17; lost to Ospreys (a) 48-17; lost to Ospreys (h) 16-8. Bourgoin lost Ospreys (a) 22-15; bt Ulster (h) 24-17; lost to Gloucester (h) 31-7; lost to Gloucester (a) 51-27.

Leading try scorers (HC 2007-2008):Ulster - S Danielli 3. Bourgoin - J F Coux, A Tchougong, J Frier, M Nicolas, B Monzeglio, JP Genevois try each.

Leading points scorers (HC 2007-2008):Ulster - P Wallace 23. Bourgoin - B Boyet 37.

Verdict:Ulster to win.

Ulster v Bourgoin. Venue: Ravenhill. Kick-off: 7.30