Celtic League/Ulster - 32 Cardiff Blues - 12: Sitting five points clear at the top of the Magners Celtic League, Ulster appear to be in fine fettle for the start of their Heineken European Cup campaign, which will open with a bang against three-times champions Toulouse at Ravenhill next Saturday.
Many of the last few remaining terrace tickets were snapped up by queues of supporters that formed outside the Ulster Branch offices following Saturday night's five-try bonus point victory.
It was an indication of the feel-good factor in Ulster rugby and the growing expectation that this season will be the one that the 1999 European champions finally reach the knock-out stages again.
Saturday's victory against Cardiff may have fallen short in terms of the ideal performance McCall would have wished for but it did nothing to dissuade the mounting feeling Ulster are developing into a side capable of mixing it with the best. They possess game-breakers across the field and can mix their traditional kicking game, masterminded by David Humphreys, with an expansive, multi-phase game.
Europe, however, will once again be the proper stage to test Ulster's progress. McCall is optimistic. "Two or three years ago when Toulouse used to come to Ravenhill, we would go into the game hoping there was an outside chance they would have an off-day and we have a great day that we might sneak a result," he said.
"I think our attitude is totally different now. We will go into this game realising they are one of the best teams in Europe, but expecting to win.
"We expect to win the match and if we don't win the match we will win the next three. That's got to be our attitude.
"The squad are going well. There is a good winning mentality about the squad. They are all ready and looking forward to next week and it should be some occasion."
Saturday night wasn't too shabby either as a crowd of 9,979 created a terrific atmosphere at Ravenhill, despite the television-enforced move from the more popular Friday night slot.
However, Cardiff didn't follow the script as the visitors dominated the opening 20 minutes, with Ulster lethargic and gifting their opposition a number of counter-attacking opportunities with Humphreys and Paddy Wallace missing a number of touches.
Cardiff's undoing was failing to convert pressure into points, with Mark Lewis's try a poor return. And once Ulster finally stirred, after Humphreys had kicked a penalty, the home side had enough power up front and cutting edge out wide to leave Cardiff struggling.
First Wallace danced over for a well-worked try, started with an electric break by Andrew Trimble; then Neil Best was driven over from a driving maul from a lineout to give Ulster a 13-5 lead at the interval.
Cardiff again looked the more dangerous side from the restart, but Ulster's defence held firm and as poor discipline from the visitors saw Martyn Williams and Scott Morgan sent to the sinbin, Ulster surged away with tries by Bryn Cunningham and a brace from Ireland wing Trimble to secure the bonus point.
A late touchdown by Wayne Evans did little to dampen the home crowd's high spirits. They hope to be in good voice next Saturday.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 9 mins: M Lewis try, 0-5; 10: D Humphreys pen, 3-5; 25: P Wallace try, 8-5; 32: N Best try, 13-5; 54: A Trimble try, Humphreys con, 20-5; 65: B Cunningham try, 25-5; 67: A Trimble try, Humphreys con, 32-5; 80: W Evans try, N McLeod try, 32-12.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; A Maxwell, K Maggs, P Wallace, A Trimble (A Larkin 77); D Humphreys (S Young 70), I Boss (K Campbell 69); J Fitzpatrick (D Fitzpatrick 71), R Best (P Shields 70), B Young, J Harrison (T Barker 70), M McCullough (T Barker 32-40), N Best, S Ferris (N McMillan 69), R Wilson.
CARDIFF BLUES: N MacLeod; C Czekaj, J Robinson, M Stcherbina, R Williams (T Shanklin 7); N Robinson, E Fairhurst; J Yapp, D Goodfield (G Williams 46), G Powell, D Jones, J Goode (B Davies 64), S Morgan, B White (G Jenkins 40-48, M Williams 55), M Lewis.
Yellow card: J Yapp (38-48) S Morgan (52-62), M Williams (65-75)
Referee: A Ireland (SRU)
