Northampton fly-half Ryan Lamb has set his sights on being the first team this season to defeat Ulster when the duo collide at Franklin's Gardens.
Ulster are currently on a 12-game winning streak in all competitions, which has seen them beat Glasgow and Castres in their earlier Pool games.
Lamb knows the back-to-back fixtures are going to be tough but is confident that with Saints' internationals now back, they have a good shot.
"It is going to be a tough ask," he told Sky Sports.
"They are a very good side, probably one of the best in Europe. They reached the final last year and they've had an unbeaten start this time around.
"They've a strong squad with strength-in-depth in every position but we've a strong squad of our own, especially as a few of the England boys are back.
"It will be a good test to see where we are as a club. We will look at their strengths - and to be honest they have a few - but in a game like this it is about putting in your own performance and making sure that you do everything right.
"We've some key players back from injury and the internationals and that will lift us. It will be a tough challenge but it will be a fantastic occasion at Franklin's Gardens."
Former Northampton number eight Roger Wilson will make his first return to Franklin's Gardens since leaving the club for former employers Ulster. And Lamb has highlighted the dangerous ball-carrier as being someone his team-mates need to monitor on Friday.
"He is going well," Lamb said.
"He was out at the start of the season but he's coming in to his own now.
"He is a very dangerous player and is someone we will have to keep an eye on.
"I spoke to him a couple of times last week. We had a bit of banter but the game wasn't mentioned."
Comments
SUFTUM99 says...
Sorry bro, the match is at Franklins Garden......:-(
Posted 14:00 07th December 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Hmm, Clubs are really seeing ravenhill as the massive challenge it is. It's like a moutaineer tackling the north face of the Eiger.
Thats a double edged blade for Ulster, the pro side is that the refs are as aware of the ravenhill factor as the clubs, so ulster have the fortress bonus and rub of the green. The con is that teams are going to raise thier game and bloodymindedness is an English trait. Saints will be fired up and physical, so ulster have to be ready. Play it cool and wait for the flakey northampton tens to mess up, because they always do, then put saints away.
As far as saints go, beware the eight man bulldoser. Ulster has been under that heavy roller before. Pancake time. time to man up becasue ravenhill will motivate northampton, they won't want to be humiliated like Leicester were. They don't like leicester either, so thats more motivation for them, to get one up on their famous neighbours. I reckon its 53-47 in Ulster's favour. Hard to call. Don't write off Saints because that'll just fire them up even more.
Posted 10:59 05th December 2012