Never mind Ulster's 49-6 roasting by Leicester last week, they may also look at Stade Francais and see they too have taken off in the pool. Beating the Gwent Dragons 37-0 is the first indication the Parisian team (no less than Leicester) are finally delivering on their pre-tournament expectations.
Ulster are not near as bad as Leicester made them look last week; the changes Alan Solomons has made suggest some of the players went one match too many before being rotated.
Gary Longwell comes into the centre of a rejigged back five and at full back Bryn Cunningham takes over from Paddy Wallace, while in the centre Seamus Mallon replaces the injured Shane Stewart. The changes don't set Ulster alight but facing a French side that ripples with internationals, it's the collective Ulster that must show this week or their run in the cup is finished.
Stade have played two matches at home and won both, against Leicester (26-15) and Gwent. Typically they haven't travelled, well but they'll be targeting a win at home this weekend to set up a probable grand finale at Welford Road the following week.
Coach Dick Mallett brings in Argentinian utility back Juan Martin Hernandez to outside centre while the rest of the side remains the same as last week. Thomas Lombard and Christophe Dominici give an edge to the wings while the legendary Italian (via Argentina) Diego Dominguez will face David Humphreys at outhalf.
In the pack a fierce front row of Sylvain Marconnet, Benoit August and Pieter de Villers will put it up to Ulster.
"We know if we win at home we will be going to Leicester looking for the necessary points to qualify," said Dominici during the week. "That's all we are thinking about - we can't even envisage defeat."
Ulster travel as clear underdogs but a victory would set up a home match against Dragons in the final pool game, an attractive prospect if they could pull this one off.
STADE FRANCAIS:I Corleto; T Lombard, J Hernandez, B Liebenberg, C Dominici; D Dominguez, G Mahe; S Marconnet, B August, P De Villiers, P Tabacco, A Marchois, C Moni, R Martin, P Rabadan. Replacements: M Blin, B Mololo, J Bado, R Jechoux, R Poulain, D Skrela, I Vass.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; J Topping, S Mallon, P Steinmetz, T Howe; D Humphreys, N Doak; R Kempson, M Sexton, R Moore, M McCullough, G Longwell, A Ward (capt), N McMillan, R Wilson. Replacements: S Best, P Shields, M Mustchin, N Best, K Campbell, A Larkin, P Wallace.
Referee: C White (England)
Previous meetings: 1998-99 semi-final Ulster won 33-27 (h); 2001-02 Stade won 40-11 (a), Ulster won 19-16 (h); 2003-4 Ulster won 22-20 (h).
Formguide: Stade Francais: Stade 26, Leicester 15; Ulster 22, Stade 20; Gwent 20, Stade 12; Stade 37, Gwent 0; Ulster: Gwent 24, Ulster 15; Ulster 22, Stade 20; Ulster 33, Leicester 0; Leicester 49, Ulster 7.
Leading points scorers: Stade - D Dominguez 66; Ulster - D Humphreys 59.
Leading try scorers: Stade - M Blin 2; Ulster A Ward 2.
Forecast: Stade Francais win.
