Glasgow v UlsterRavenhill can no longer be considered a fortress. Ulster have lost their last three matches at the Belfast citadel. It'll be something of a relief for coach Mark McCall and his players that tonight they're in Scotland.
The last two Ulster road trips have ended in victory, against Edinburgh and Connacht. They will take further succour from the fact Glasgow have lost their last three matches and are one from bottom of the league table.
Then there is the small matter of the Irish province having lost only one of their previous five clashes with Glasgow.
The home side will be without Scotland wing Sean Lamont, nursing a calf-muscle injury. He is replaced on the left wing by fellow international Andy Craig, who earlier this week scored three tries in the Glasgow Development XV's 36-7 win against Sale Jets at Stockport.
Today's game will be Craig's third league appearance since joining Glasgow during the summer.
That is the only change to the team that started against Munster last week, when the Scots were a little unfortunate to lose to a drop-goal from Ronan O'Gara after a Dan Parks penalty had made it 26-25 in injury-time.
Despite the enforced change in the team, Hugh Campbell, Glasgow's head coach, remains upbeat.
"After the frustration of last week we're looking forward to an outstanding performance against Ulster," he said.
Realising that aspiration might be a different prospect.
There are two changes among the replacements. David Millard has been recalled following Craig's promotion, and Euan Murray returns as back-up prop instead of Andrew Kelly.
Because of a back injury Murray has played less than half an hour of league rugby this season, and illness forced him to drop out of the replacements on the day of the Munster game.
McCall has encountered teething difficulties since taking over from Alan Solomons as head coach. He inherited some exceptional young talent from his predecessor, principally Tommy Bowe, Matt McCullough and Roger Wilson, but the team has been misfiring.
The main problem area seems to be the pack, who have failed to provide the platform for a talented back line. It has left the latter trying to force the issue off static ball and as a result the error rate has spiralled.
The Ulster eight has to provide the momentum that would allow David Humphreys time and space to orchestrate.
Kevin Maggs has been sent on more crash-ball forays than is reasonable; Ulster need to be a little more cerebral in trying to break teams down. Gary Longwell will be a central figure in the pack and must elicit a more dynamic contribution from his comrades.
The absence through injury of Neil McMillan, Wilson and Andy Ward cuts down the options in the back row, but Matt Mustchin brings huge physical power.
Gary Brown makes his debut at number eight.
McCall's squad rotation means a place for Nigel Brady and Ronan McCormack in the front row, while Kieron Campbell will partner Humphreys at halfback.
Yet again, Ulster find themselves in the most difficult pool in the European Cup, a fate that has befallen them with numbing monotony over the past several years.
The challenge they face is straightforward: they must find a way to put their poor early-season form behind them.
They should be good enough to win this match. Certainly, defeat would not bode well with much tougher tasks just around the corner.
GLASGOW: R Kerr; K Logan, G Morrison, A Henderson, A Craig; D Parks, S Pinder; K Tkachuk, G Bulloch, L Harrison, A Hall, D Turner, C Mather, J Petrie (capt), D Macfadyen. Replacements: S Lawson, E Murray, A Wilson, J Beattie, G Beveridge, C Howarth, D Millard.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, K Maggs, P Steinmetz, T Howe; D Humphreys (capt), K Campbell; R McCormack, N Brady, S Best, G Longwell, M McCullough, C Feather, G Brown, N Best. Replacements: P Shields, R Moore, R Frost, M Mustchin, N Doak, P Wallace, J Bell.
Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales).
Recent meetings: Sept 2003 - Ulster 33 Glasgow 6; Nov 2003 - Glasgow 13 Ulster 20; Feb 2004 - Glasgow 27 Ulster 25.
Last time out: Glasgow 26 Munster 28; Ulster 21 The Dragons 28.
Leading points scorers: Glasgow - Daniel Parks 67. Ulster - David Humphreys 29.
Leading try scorers: Glasgow - Donnie Macfadyen 3. Ulster - Andrew Maxwell, Bryn Cunningham 2.
Verdict: Ulster to win.
