Rugby - Squad news:Ulster know what they need from their remaining two games in the Heineken Cup pool stages - that's maximum points, bonus and all. Even then it might not be enough but Brian McLaughlin and his charges have not given up the ghost just yet.
The coach has named an extended 27-man squad for the visit of Edinburgh to Ravenhill on Friday night for the province’s “most important match in years” according to McLaughlin.
Like other Irish provinces, Ulster missed out on decent preparation when their Magners League game against Ospreys at Ravenhill was postponed due to the weather last weekend, leaving McLaughlin’s young side fit and raring to go.
"Friday's a massive game, we are all itching to get back to a game. Rugby is the players' job, they work hard all week with a view to getting out there and playing on a Friday night, so they're disappointed when that doesn't happen," said McLaughlin.
"That being the case, Friday night cannot come quickly enough for them. A full house to watch Ulster's most important match in years would be a tremendous boost.
"The supporters' role in our victory over Munster in our last home game was massive. They helped us to keep going in the final 20 minutes when we were under huge pressure. They drove us home and all of us; the players' and the coaching staff really appreciated that.
"We know Edinburgh and they know us, so there will be no room for error. We have to dominate the play if we are going to win.
"We have got some great training sessions in at SINI and Ashfield Boys' School this week, and the players' are all fully focused on Friday's game, they are all ready to get up and at it," concluded the coach.
Ulster squad (v Edinburgh)
Forwards:B Young, T Court, A Kyriacou, N Brady, B Botha, D Fitzpatrick, E O'Donoghue, R Caldwell, N McComb, S Ferris, C Henry, D Touhy, W Faloon, T Anderson, D Pollock.
Backs:C Schifcofske, T Nagusa, S Danielli, A Trimble, I Whitten, D Cave, P Wallace, I Humphreys, I Boss, J Smith, N O'Connor, C Willis.