ULSTER IN ‘WIN OR GO HOME’ MODE

THERE will be no shortage of Champions Cup pool permutations in the coming days as the last-16 line-up begins to take shape. There is no ambiguity for Ulster tonight, however. They simply must get a result to keep their slim European hopes alive. Sale Sharks provide the opposition in Beflast. It was that 39-0 shellacking at the hands of the same opposition in December which exposed a worrying slump in the province’s fortunes.

Dan McFarland’s side have lost six of their lost seven outings. They were on course to stop the rot at a rain-sodden La Rochelle last weekend only to be denied a hard-fought win thanks to a last-gasp try from the hosts.

So, Ulster are in ‘must-win’ territory here. McFarland is without Iain Henderson and Luke Marshall after the key pair picked up injuries in France last time out. The under-pressure head coach needs a reaction from his troops in front of the Kingspan Stadium crowd. In the long term, he needs to source a top-class outhalf. Losing Marty Moore, his frontline tighthead, for the season due to a serious knee injury hasn’t helped Ulster’s cause either.

There is no shortage of players in this squad who will feel they have a point to prove to Andy Farrell as well.

Ulster’s recent run of poor form has seemingly cost the likes of Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney and Michael Lowry their Six Nations places. James Hume was in flying form last season and was being tipped to make a big impact on the New Zealand tour. Injuries haven’t helped his progress this term, but he could do with finding some of his old groove. Timoney needs a big game, too.

Then there’s Stuart McCloskey (above). The hard-running midfielder has been quiet of late but when he begins to blast a few holes in the opposition defence, Ulster look a far more potent outfit. Jacob Stockdale is another Ulster player trying to rediscover his mojo. His Ireland call this week was far from a form selection. He has no shortage of credit in the international bank, but Stockdale can’t live off past glories forever.

A win against this ultra-physical Sale outfit might just be the mid-season jolt Ulster crave. ULSTER: M Lowry; R Lyttle, J Hume, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; B Burns, N Doak; A Warwick, T Stewart, J Toomaga-Allen; A O’Connor (capt), S Carter; H Sheridan, N Timoney, D Vermuelen. Reps: R Herring, E O’Sullivan, T O’Toole, K Treadwell, J Murphy, J Cooney, I Madigan, B Moxham. SALE SHARKS: J Carpenter; T O’Flaherty, S James, M Tuilagi, A Reed; R du Preez, F Warr; B Rodd, E Ashman, J Harper; J Beaumont, J Hill; J Ross, B Curry (capt), JL du Preez. Reps: T Taylor, R Harrison, J Jones, R Birch, S Dugdale, R Quirke, T Curtis, T Roebuck. REFEREE: P Brousset (France). TV: Kick-off at 8pm. LIVE on BT Sport from 7.45pm.