Warren Gatland believes Ulster's European Cup success could have a significant spin-off effect on the Ireland team.

Ulster booked their place in this season's semi-finals - they play host to tournament favourites Stade Francais next month - with a stirring victory over 1996 European champions Toulouse.

Gatland has predicted a "very competitive" Five Nations Championship this season as the Celtic nations look to threaten current Anglo-French domination.

"The great thing about the European Cup is that Irish sides get the chance to play against French teams regularly," said Gatland.

"When you play them regularly - and beat them - you suddenly realise they are not supermen who have to be put on a pedestal.

"I am delighted that the Ulster players have a European Cup semi-final, and perhaps a final, to fit in before the Five Nations gets under way. That is fine by me."

Neither Ireland, Scotland nor Wales have beaten England since 1994, and France have clinched back-to-back Grand Slams in 1997 and 1998, but encouraging recent displays by the Celtic countries against world champions South Africa suggest better times ahead.

"Two or three years ago, I don't think Ulster would have gone through - they would have caved in during the later stages," added Gatland.

"But now that the players are training professionally in provincial squads the fitness levels are improving greatly. I think the way things are shaping up this season's Five Nations Championship is going to be very competitive.

"England and France are still the two quality sides to be beaten, but the gap is definitely closing. Ulster have shown that by beating Toulouse twice, and now everyone in Ireland will be hoping they can beat Stade Francais."

The wealthy Paris club, who destroyed Pontypridd 71-14 last weekend, are expecting a tough encounter.

"We have drawn the team nobody wanted to get in the semi-finals," said Stade Francais coach Bernard Laporte.

"We've got to go to Ireland, and that is certainly not the draw I was hoping we would get. If we were playing at home I would not be worried, but, over there . . .

"We will be on our guard because any team that beats Toulouse must obviously be very strong. Ulster's victory over Toulouse means we have been warned."

UCD face Toulouse University in the final pool game of the European Students Championship for a place in the quarter-final of the competition to be played in January.

UCD beat Exeter University on Monday while Toulouse added a second defeat to the English side yesterday in Belfield when they dominated the game to win 75-19. The deciding match is scheduled to take place in the Belfield Bowl tomorrow at 11.0 a.m.