Ford knows Ulster's style

European Cup Pool FourFirst time back and there will be more respect than animosity. Saracens' meeting with Ulster in Ravenhill Road tomorrow night will have the psychological profile of two former companions battling, each with a detailed understanding of how the other competes.

Mike Ford's short stint in Ireland was heralded not so long ago, his departure seen as a loss. Ireland had stepped across the cultural divide when they appointed him, a defensive coach with rugby league ideas.

When he left for England at the end of last season, his departure was mourned, players paying him the ultimate compliment of acknowledging they had learned something new from him.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan described him as "an asset".

The last time Ford stepped on to the pitch at Ravenhill, it was during a defensive coaching session with Ulster, pre-season in August 2004, but he was involved all of last year too. Chances are Mark McCall has not dramatically changed style.

Nor is it likely Ford's thinking on defence will have morphed out of recognition.

"Yeah, we certainly know each other well," says the former Great Britain rugby league scrumhalf.

"I know David Humphreys well and we are close and respect each other. I think we respect each other enough to know that we can both change our thinking. Kevin Maggs knows me very well too. But the world of video these days is such that you do your analysis on every team anyway.

"I know they will profile me and will try to work out what I'm thinking about and I'll also think about the Ulster players and what their strengths and weaknesses are. I know most of the players and have worked with them and am familiar with the way they play from defensive sessions with the Irish team, but we both know that we have to change things."

It is Ford's first reign as a rugby union head coach but he has coached league sides.

His appointment to the head of the Vicarage Road coaching staff came after he helped steer Ireland to their first Triple Crown in 19 years during the 2004 Six Nations.

He filled a dual role for most of last season, working with Saracens as well as the Ireland squad.

"I've always fancied being a head coach again," he says. " I've found the transition very smooth from one to the other. I've a three-year contract with Saracens.

"If I don't perform for them then I'd like to make sure I've gone at it with my best beliefs.

"I know that I'm only two losses or a few injuries away from not having a job."

Tomorrow evening's meeting is not the first time the teams have met in the competition - Saracens took the points both home and away back in 2001.

But Ford and his staff understand that no side has since managed to do that, as Ulster have remained unbeaten at home since that evening Saracens won 21-13.

Currently top of Pool Four, the Premiership visitors also know defeat in Belfast will put a breeze in the sails of not only Ulster but also Biarritz.

"They (Ulster) never seem to lose here in the Heineken Cup," says Ford. "You'd be daft as a coach not to back home advantage. I went through a spell of saying there's no difference but I believe now that you must prepare doubly hard for the away games. That's the way we intend to approach this game."

Ford will find little encouragement from the team McCall has named. Pretty much full-strength, it is the same unit that beat Munster last weekend.

The four players with question marks about fitness after their names - scrum-half Kieran Campbell, Neil McMillan, Paul Steinmetz and Bryn Cunningham - all came through and are included.

Last week a young Saracens team lost 42-8 to London Wasps in the Powergen Cup, conceding four late tries. Their run-in to this week could hardly have been more different from Ulster's.

"I'm enjoying the challenge. I'd a smashing time in Ireland, but I'm thriving here," says Ford

"The games are tough and difficult week in week out but I wouldn't have it any other way."