Celtic League: Most coaches are guilty of stating the most obvious truisms from time to time. This week Mark McCall's "we need a win" would have qualified him for the top prize of saying it before some newspaper said it for him.
Ulster, though, have a decent-looking side for this match with a very experienced back line to which Kevin Maggs and David Humphreys return after international duty.
Tyrone Howe and Paul Steinmetz add to the mature look with young Tommy Bowe moving to the right wing as Bryn Cunningham makes a return from injury and slots into the fullback position.
Simon Best, who sat on the Irish bench in the Millennium Stadium, also returns to action in the tighthead prop position with Rod Moore making way.
Ulster should look at the match with some optimism. The bonus point gained last week on their trip to Cork has pushed the province up the table. They have now a game in hand but remain just a point behind interprovincial rivals Connacht.
McCall's only duty at this stage is to win the dogfight and ensure his side finish above Michael Bradley's side and prove their worth as probable representatives in the Heineken European Cup competition next season.
While Ulster have struggled recently and have only one win from their last five games, The Borders have little to play for other than pride. They may, however, want to erase the unwanted record of never having won an away game in the Celtic League.
But of the three previous meetings between the two sides, Ulster have won all of them, although not by any great margin. Last April it was 19-15 and in November 20-19. McCall is not taking the game lightly.
Nor is Borders coach Steve Bates, who welcomes back Scotland scrumhalf Chris Cusiter and his national team colleague Bruce Douglas. Also in the line-up are number eight Kelly Brown and outside centre Calum MacRae, who are just back from the Sevens World Cup in Hong Kong.
"It's a must win game for them," said Bates. "But it is a real test for us. We will want to go out and be really positive. We've talked about the game suited to our strengths and not one that is all about limiting scores."
ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Howe, K Maggs, P Steinmetz, T Bowe; D Humphreys, K Campbell; R McCormack, P Shields, S Best; G Longwell, M McCullough; A Ward (capt), N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: R Moore, R Best, C Feather, T Barker, P Wallace, N Doak, A Maxwell
BORDERS: S Moffat; S Danielli, C McRae, C Hore, N Walker; A Warnock, C Cusiter; P Thompson (capt), R Ford, B Douglas; M Blair, C Stewart; J Dalziel, A Miller, K Brown. Replacements: S Scott, T McGee, W Kay, M Parr, J Weston, J Pattison, G Morton.
Head to heads:
Friday, November 28th, 2003: (Celtic League) at Ravenhill - Ulster 46: A Ward (two tries), R Constable (two tries), B Cunningham, P Shields tries, P Wallace (five cons, two pens) The Borders 5: N Walker (try).
Friday, April 30th, 2004: (Celtic League) at Netherdale: The Borders 15: S Sititi (try), I Fairley (try), T Vili (con, pen) Ulster 19: S Best, N Best (tries), D Humphreys (drop goal, two pens);
Friday, November 12th, 2004: (Celtic League) at Netherdale - The Borders 19: Weston (try), C Hore (pen), A Warnock (con, three pens) Ulster 20: P Steinmetz, B Cunningham (tries), A Larkin (two cons, two pens).
Referee: Phil Fear
Verdict: Home win
