ULSTER will play the last but most daunting match in what has been a heavy and demanding programme this season when they take on an Australian side of test strength at Ravenhill today.

It is match two on the Wallabies Irish itinerary, and the eighth match of their unbeaten tour they have recorded six wins over Scottish opposition, including the test success last week at Murrayfield, and beat Connacht in Galway last Wednesday. So Ulster get the opportunity to succeed where thus far all others have failed.

A win over a major touring team is always an achievement of great moment, so that represents a tremendous incentive for Ulster. On an individual basis, the Ireland team to meet Australia this day week will be chosen after the match. That increases the stakes for several in the Ulster team. I have in mind such as Mark McCall, Maurice Field, Paddy Johns and Denis McBride. All five Ireland selectors will be at Ravenhill, minds concentrated - I hope - preconceived ideas confined to the rubbish bin.

Manager Ken Reid believes Ulster can lift themselves for the challenge. "We have had a reasonable season, but maybe did not enjoy the best of luck against such teams as Neath and Harlequins. We lost both those matches and should have won both.

"Our performance against Harlequins was especially good. If we can repeat that then we are in with a chance. Australia are fielding a very powerful side of test strength, but our players will not lack motivation.

I have no doubt about that, and Ulster teams do have a great capacity for raising their game, especially against outside opposition. Last year, for instance, a very depleted Ulster team, given no chance, scored a great win over New South Wales at Ravenhill some of those in the Australian jersey this afternoon played in that match.

On the last occasion Ulster met Australia, in November 1992, the Wallabies put in a powerful finish to win 35-11. There are some survivors on both teams: McCall, Field, Johns and Steve McKinty on the Ulster side, and Tim Horan, David Campese, John Eales and David Wilson for Australia.

But it was against the 1984 Grand Slam Wallabies that Ulster scored their most famous win. They beat Australia 15-13, with Philip Rainey kicking the winning points in the last minute. Victory today would equal that great achievement.

Ulster will, of course, be without outside half David Humphreys and second row Jeremy Davidson, who are required by London Irish. So Stuart Laing comes in at outside half and Gary Longwell will be in the second row.

Australia field 12 of the side that beat Scotland last week, and the three changes bring in three establish internationals, with Campese and scrum half George Gregan in the back line, and Michael Brial in the back row for Owen Finegan.

The current Australian team is not quite in the mould of the fine teams that have visited these shores in recent times, and does not seem to have the flair behind the scrum. Their forwards steered them to victory over Connacht, as they used their power to get the victory points in the second half. The pack today is stronger and more experienced than that in action in Galway, and the Ulster pack will face a very difficult examination.

The presence of Warwick Waugh and John Eales in the second row could pose lineout problems for Ulster, with Johns and Longwell the men charged with the responsibility of matching the Australian second row pair.

The Ulster back row will need to tackle hard and often, and especially put in the first tackles and not allow the Wallabies to create space. Gregan is also an accomplished scrum half and he scored two tries in Galway. If they break the Ulster defence down on the fringes of the forward exchanges, then Ulster will pay the price.

Laing is an accomplished place kicker, and I have little doubt he will also float a few behind the defence the well placed diagonal kick is something that causes Campese problems and unease.

It is a big match for McCall and we can rest assured that this full hearted player will give his all and he will tackle - unlike some of those in the Irish back line last Tuesday.

If the Ulster forwards can do a reasonable job of containment and win some possession, then Ulster could give the tourists some trouble. An early score or two would be especially welcome. But one must take Australia to maintain their 100 per cent record, but maybe not without some anxiety.

There could be no better venue than Thomond Park for the Ireland Under 21 side to take on the New Zealand Youths team tomorrow. Last week the touring side opened their tour against Munster in Cork and lost. They defeated Connacht very easily in midweek, but if this Ireland Under 21 team does not look to be as accomplished as the side Ireland had this level last season, they are still a very useful team, with some in it who shared the Triple Crown glory last season.