Wintry welcome awaits Biarritz

RUGBY/European Cup: John O'Sullivan sets the scene for Friday night's Heineken Cup encounter at Ravenhill.

Ulster's defiant, character-laden defeat of Glasgow at Hughenden in the Celtic League quarter-final over the weekend was mirrored by coach Alan Solomons at the team announcement for Friday night's Heineken European Cup game against Biarritz at Ravenhill.

The magnitude of the task facing Ulster needs little elaboration, a tussle with the French champions not a chosen contest with European Cup ambitions largely dependent on the outcome of this game.

Solomons is far from cowed by the prospect, suggesting: "I fancy they will be more worried about us than we will about them. I know a good bit about them having seen them beat Northampton in a very close game.

"There is a big difference between playing in the south of France in September and Belfast in the middle of winter. We have nothing to gain by concentrating exclusively on their strengths, we must look to play our own game. They are the French champions and must be a good team because it is a very hard league to win.

"They are strong up front and also very adept at playing ball wide but we, too, have our qualities."

On the topic of selection - Ulster made three changes heralding the return of captain Andy Ward, Gary Longwell and Ryan Constable - Solomons alighted on the misfortune of number eight Tony McWhirter who steps down to the bench to accommodate Ward.

"It's unfortunate for Tony McWhirter as he has been playing wonderfully well but Wardie adds something to the team and gives us a little more width to our game. He has the ability to lift the team and the players really respond to him."

Ward returned to representative rugby when coming on for McWhirter in the Glasgow game, scoring a crucial try in the process that allowed Ulster to claw their way back from 10-17 to parity before David Humphreys landed what proved to be the decisive penalty to secure a 20-17 triumph.

Longwell returns to partner Jeremy Davidson in the second row, having recovered from a shoulder injury sustained while playing for Ireland in the recent Test match against Argentina. It initially appeared very serious when Argentinian hooker Mario Ledesma slid into a prone Longwell, a prognosis that proved unfounded as the Ballymena man explained: "When I first got the injury I thought my career was at an end such was the pain at the time, but the problem calmed down very quickly and I nearly made it for the Glasgow match. It's great to be back in action again."

The third alteration sees former Australian international Ryan Constable partner Jonathan Bell in midfield. Shane Stewart was to have have dropped to the bench but a twisted knee in training means that he has been forced out. Sheldon Coulter benefits.

The players and management will be hoping that Ravenhill is packed to the rafters for Friday night's game, generating the decibel levels that can prove so discommoding to visiting teams.

While the Glasgow victory gives Ulster a second interest from a competitive perspective, they would dearly love to prolong their European Cup dreams.

Having lost away to Northampton before beating Cardiff at home they know that nothing short of victory in an outrageously tough pool six will suffice.

While there is the inspiration of victories over French teams from the halcyon days of their European Cup triumph in 1999 to draw from, this team must create its own identity.

Biarritz travel to Belfast on the back of a home victory over Montferrand but they should be abundantly aware of the different demands that Friday night will bring. And if they're not then Ulster will be keen to educate them.