Ulster must step it up more than a gear

Heineken Cup: HARLEQUINS BURIED their Heineken Cup bogey last week when they recovered from 19-3 down against the Scarlets to register their first win in the competition since the 2001-2002 season.

Ulster seek a similarly dramatic transition as their fortunes continue to lurch uneasily through the year. Today's match will determine their viability in this year's competition, but few would see them achieving it given their form.

But Matt Williams is nothing if not relentlessly positive, though his mantra that the team are just a victory away from changing fortunes - that they have forgotten how to win - is beginning to wear thin among the increasingly impatient Ravenhill Road faithful.

With that in mind, Williams has made changes to the side that lost to Stade Français last week in Belfast. Carlo Del Fava comes in at lock for Ed O'Donoghue, while David Pollack goes to openside for the resting Kieron Dawson. The Southern Hemisphere signing Timoci Nagusa steps in on the right wing. The Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris has recovered enough from a knock to take his place at blindside.

Cillian Willis is again preferred to Isaac Boss at scrumhalf as Paddy Wallace partners Darren Cave in the centre.

Again, there is no start for Ian Humphreys or the Scottish international Rob Dewey.

"They are a dangerous counter-attacking team, particularly with pace on the wings," observed Williams. "But we should be able to counter them and I honestly believe we will be there or thereabouts.

"Our biggest challenge is breaking this away-game hoodoo. It's now up to the players in the Ulster squad to provide the enthusiasm and energy to produce the victory. You never know what will happen after that."

The principle change to the Harlequins line-up is that England's imposing Nick Easter takes a starting position in the back row, having last week played as a replacement against Scarlets and made a significant impression.

With Gonzalo Tiesi ruled out with injury, coach Dean Richards has also been forced to make changes behind the pack. Ugo Monye moves from wing to outside centre, allowing Tom Williams to come into the starting side.

"The team is maturing week by week and playing a more ambitious style of rugby," said Richards. "Last weekend we showed that we were not prepared to lie down and die when faced with stiff opposition. It was great getting the win, but on Saturday at the Stoop we will have to back this up."

A win for Harlequins could keep them on top of the table, depending how Stade perform against Scarlets, but a loss for Ulster would leave them with a mountain to climb with away matches against the French and Scarlets farther down the road.

But Williams is right. A notch up from their second-half play last week could worry Harlequins.

The question is whether Ulster have that in them.

HARLEQUINS:M Brown; T Williams, U Monye, J Turner-Hall, C Amesbury; C Malone, D Care; C Jones, G Botha, M Ross; O Kohn, J Evans; C Robshaw, W Skinner (capt), N Easter. Replacements: T Fuga, M lambert, G Robson, T Guest, A Gomersall, T Masson, W Luveniyali.

ULSTER:B Cunningham; T Nagusa, D Cave, P Wallace, A Trimble; N O'Connor, C Willis; T Court, R Best (capt), CJ Botha; C Del Fava, R Caldwell; S Ferris, D Pollack, R Diack. Replacements: N Brady, J Fitzpatrick, E O'Donoghue, M McCullough, I Boss, I Humphreys, R Dewey.

Referee:T Hayes (Wales).

Betting(Paddy Power): To win Harlequins 1-12; Ulster 6-1; Draw-33-1.

Verdict: Home win