LUDIK: IT’S STILL ALL IN OUR HANDS

Edinburgh v Ulster Tonight, 7.35pm BY DARREN FULLERTON

LOUIS LUDIK has urged Ulster to embrace the do-or-die pressure of tonight’s must-win Pro14 showdown in Edinburgh.

A loss will sound a death knell for any hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the league and heighten concerns of missing out on European Champions Cup qualification.

A fourth place finish is required to seal a play-off spot for Europe’s premier competition and Ulster have Benetton breathing down their necks in Conference B.

With four games to play – a schedule that includes a rearranged home game with Glasgow on April 21 – the province lies 13 points adrift of third placed Edinburgh and one above Benetton.

Having watched Leinster and Munster beat Saracens and Toulon in the Champions Cup quarters at the weekend, Ludik is eager Ulster don’t miss out next season.

Ludik said: “Obviously, we’d like to be there (next season) because it’s such an amazing competition. It was entertaining at the weekend and a couple of teams played out of their skins.

“It’s still in our hands, but we have to take it and we have to win. Our minds have to go to that place where we play as best we can.”

Rory Best returns to captain Ulster while Academy prop Tom O’toole makes his debut.