ULSTER’S attacking resources will be tested in their win-or-bust European tie with Clermont on Saturday as they look set to be without four key players.
Joining Jared Payne - who is out for three months with a kidney injury suffered on Ireland duty – on the sidelines will be wingers Craig Gilroy and Andrew Trimble, while centre Stuart Olding remains out.
All four could also struggle to make the return leg against the Top 14 leaders next week.
Second row Alan O’Connor is also being monitored ahead of the Kingspan Stadium clash after he missed the Cardiff game through concussion.
They will, however, be boosted by the return of Ireland duo Rory Best – who will most likely skipper the side if he starts ahead of Rob Herring – and Paddy Jackson.
“Those two make a massive difference,” said Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss.
“We're not relying on that. The rest have to do their job and make it easy for them. They're in a great vein of form.
“They had a good November, especially Besty. It was an enormous campaign from him. He stood up big and tall and got some real reward.”
Ulster will attempt to summon the kind of spirit that put Toulouse so ruthlessly to the sword in Belfast this time last year. A five-try rout was backed up a week later with a 25-23 win away from home, and they will need something similar this time around.
A last-gasp win over Exeter in October just about rescued their hopes following an opening round defeat by Bordeaux, but Kiss admits that victory remains essential for his side.
“I think this is the key game. When you look around at what else is happening in our game, and the other game in the pool...if Clermont win they're in charge of everything and then we're pretty low in the points to be able to get one of those second-place spots. It's pretty important overall.”
Clermont issued a real statement of intent with a bonus point victory at Exeter two months ago, and they come to the Kingspan as the leaders of the Top 14.
Their form during the November international period was slightly patchier but they have plenty justified their standing as second favourites to claim Europe’s biggest prize behind Saracens.
“You look at them and you can't help but be impressed by what they can offer,” said Kiss.
“You admire them but it puts the fear of God in you really. I'm not telling anyone, anything new here. We've had a reality check when we looked at the video this week.
“They are a team that can attack you from anywhere. They use their massive pack to effect. (Morgan) Parra, (Camille) Lopez in the halves pulling the strings, they can shift it wide pretty quick and when you have (Wesley) Fofana, (Remi) Lamerat, (Noa) Nakaitaci they're a brilliant team to watch.
“We have to make them not so brilliant on Saturday. That's what Europe is. On this stage, you've got to accept that's what it's about.”
And as much as Ulster will take heart from their wins over Toulouse last year – and indeed their impressive record against French sides in Europe’s premier competition down the years – Kiss feels that Clermont’s style is very different to that of Toulouse.
“We've certainly looked at the similarities. Clermont have a bit of a pragmatic approach. They're not afraid to kick, with Parra's left boot but it can offer you something if you're not afraid to go at them.
“They've scored a lot of points, but there's been a lot of points scored against them too. You have to match them in the forward pack to get any leverage against them. The similarities are there, but that's where it stops.
“We know that's there but it's up to us to put something together as a collective. The pack really has to be a good eight and the backs have to be buzzing.”
