Ulster must do better

European Cup/Stade Francais v Ulster Stade Jean Bouin, 1.0 : There isn't a good time to pitch up to Stade Jean Bouin for a tilt at the Parisian aristocrats of French rugby but for Ulster there is mitigation to be found in a lengthy injury list that has beset Stade Francais ahead of today's match.

The French international front row, Pieter de Villiers and Sylvain Marconnet, are out injured and this necessitated the return to the club of Rodrigo Roncero, who had initially been granted permission to travel to Buenos Aires to play for Argentina against South Africa this evening.

Roncero played against Ireland at Lansdowne Road last weekend.

Flanker Remy Martin and the versatile Italian international Mauro Bergamasco are also sidelined while scrumhalf Agustin Pichot is with the Pumas.

Given the notable lists of absentees it is perhaps surprising to see captain David Auradou starting on the bench as coach Fabien Galthie opted to start the French/Canadian axis of Olivier Brouzet and Mike James in the second row.

Stade have cobbled together maximum points from their two matches to date, performances that were hugely reliant on their forward power. Supporting that assertion is the fact the team's leading try scorer is Marconnet, usually the ball carrier and the beneficiary of the catch-and-drive mauling philosophy from close-in lineouts.

Outhalf David Skrela has encountered little difficulty in switching from full back to outhalf since joining the club. While acknowledging the handicap of absent personnel he is adamant enough quality remains to neutralise Ulster's forward power.

"We must win the match because we are at home and want to continue on our winning ways. It's important that we cement our place at the top of the group and try and qualify as quickly as possible. If we could beat Ulster twice then we would be perfectly placed, although Gloucester are in a position to do that as well.

"Ulster are very strong, rugged and difficult to beat as they showed the last time they were in Paris. We will have to move them around and try and tire them out."

Skrela's reference is to last season's encounter - the fifth time the sides have met in the European Cup - when Stade Francais squeaked home 13-10.

Indeed the Irish province lead the head-to-head battle on a 3-2 count. Ulster coach Mark McCall has endured a tough debut season but in fairness to the former Ireland centre he has stood behind his side and accepting the brickbats following inept displays.

It's time the players repaid some of the faith he has shown and offered a genuine representation of the talent within the squad where it matters: on the pitch. They come into the match after a particularly wishy-washy performance against Llanelli. While the application can't be faulted, there is an anxiety bred by low confidence levels that is asphyxiating Ulster's general play.

The back line in particular hasn't been good enough irrespective of what platform is provided. Individually and collectively there has to be an improvement. The return of David Humphreys will provide direction and also a consummate place-kicker. His importance is reflected in the statistic he is the only player to score for Ulster in this season's tournament. He has chipped in with 34 points, including the team's only try.

Kevin Maggs returns to inside centre, Scott Young winning his battle with Andy Maxwell for a place on the right wing. Matt McCullough returns to the second row after a sabbatical at blindside flanker, while Roger Wilson is back at number eight.

Ulster are better than their performances to date this season but they have to unlock that potential. It's important they try to win this match rather than set out not to lose. That difference in attitude is vital. Neil Best has been playing quite superbly, Campbell Feather has slotted in well and in McCullough and Wilson they have young forwards with great potential.

The back play must improve and to do so requires a little risk taking or at the very least some enterprise. Stade Francais, despite being handicapped by injuries, will still present a very tough hurdle to clamber over.

Today they'll probably rely more on a back line that boasts a surfeit of pace and ability rather than the steam rolling power of their pack. Ulster are charged with discovering their game so that this match can become a turning point rather than a footnote in their season.

TEAMS AND DETAILS

STADE FRANCAIS: C Dominici; Mirco Bergamasco, S Glas, B Liebenberg, R Poulan; D Skrela, J Fillol; R Roncero, M Blin, P Lemoine; O Brouzet, M James (capt); R Jechoux, S Sowerby, P Rabadan. Replacements: A Castola, Y Montes, A Marchois, D Auradou, O Sarramea, G Quesada, G Mahe.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; S Young, J Bell, K Maggs, T Bowe; D Humphreys (capt), K Campbell; R McCormack, P Shields, R Moore; R Frost, M McCullough; C Feather, R Wilson, N Best. Replacements: N Brady, B Young, G Longwell, T Barker, N Doak, A Larkin, P Steinmetz.

Referee: Dave Pearson (England).

EC FORMGUIDE (2004-2005): Ulster bt Cardiff (h) 21-16; lost to Gloucester (a) 13-55. Stade Francais bt Gloucester (h) 39-31; bt Cardiff (a) 38-15.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS (EC): 1998-99 European Cup semi-final: Ulster 33 Stade Francais 27. 2001-2002: Stade Francais 40 Ulster 11; Ulster 19 Stade Français 16. 2003-2004: Ulster 22 Stade Francais 20; Stade Francais 13 Ulster 10.

LEADING POINTS SCORER (EC): Stade Francais - David Skrela 29. Ulster - David Humphreys 34.

LEADING TRY SCORERS (EC): Stade Francais - Sylvain Marconnet 3. Ulster - David Humphreys 1.

Verdict: Stade Francais.