For the first few years Ulster's instincts in the European Cup were sharp. The province easily butted heads with the best. The crowds came to Ravenhill Road, the team won their matches against the best of England and France.

Over the last two years the crowds have remained faithful but the team has taken a buffeting. Ulster were knocked off course and had a dismal European season following their 1999 win. They then missed out on a place in the quarter-finals last year.

Despite the groundbreaking success of coach Harry Williams, the province opted to range wider to put the team back in a winning groove. Alan Solomons, the former assistant to Nick Mallet on the South African national side, was summoned.

Solomons, a legal practice consultant in South Africa and a specialist in litigation, quaintly describes his tracksuit conversion as "indulging in my passion". He sees the big picture, not just Swansea at Ravenhill on Friday for Ulster's inaugural Celtic League match.

"What Harry Williams did in 1999 was an incredible achievement," he says. "But the last two years have not gone the way Ulster would have wanted them to go. They haven't been in the play-offs and have not achieved what they wanted to achieve. At this moment we want to focus on the quality of rugby and the rest will follow."

One of the first moves Solomons made when he arrived in midsummer was to change the captaincy from outhalf David Humphreys to back row Andy Ward.

"I respect David," says Solomons. "He'd done the job for a number of years but I thought at this point the side should be led by a forward and Andy Ward was the appropriate person to do that.

"I think it makes a big difference because forwards are in the heat of the battle. You can argue that backs have a clearer vision. But David is vice captain and he can provide that clearer vision. The two are good friends and David was keen to step down and felt he'd done his stint."

Solomons has been pleased with the way the squad has reacted to his demands. "I've found the players to have an excellent work ethic, are intelligent and are very good to work with," he says.

Nerves are not a worry. "I've been head coach for three Super 12 seasons, for two Curry Cup seasons and assistant to Nick Mallet for 38 Test matches. Before big matches like these there should be a few nerves but there is no point in me getting anxious because I've got to see everything in perspective."

That perspective allowed him to become part of the record-equalling 17 straight Test wins by the Springboks. Beneath the cultured public face, Solomons is evidently street wise and candid.

Four overseas players have been stitched into the squad: former South African international Robbie Brink, Australian David Allen and New Zealanders Adam Larkin and Matt Sexton. "If I come from a different part of the world it brings a type of cross pollination. To be too inbred can be a problem," he says.

"The isolation in South Africa set out rugby back years. Brink is experienced and has played a lot of Super 12, Allen we've still got to see because he went over on an ankle but he was coached in Australia and Larkin brings that different perspective to the team . . . the new players will bring that different perspective to the team and I think that can make the team grow."