Ella faces ‘unknown quantity’ in Celtic Cup
The former Australian centre has seen his side go down to successive Celtic League defeats, against defending champions Munster and then in Saturday's 29-22 thriller at Celtic Warriors. Now he is doing his homework on the Ospreys.
"The Ospreys are a bit of an unknown quantity to me but I have got a few days to study them to work that out," said Ella.
"The way I see it, on Friday we will be looking for our first competitive win and we will be pushing hard for that in every game we play, be it in the Celtic League, Celtic Cup or in European competition.
"The boys are really looking forward to getting back to Donnybrook they really enjoy playing at the ground but we have got a few injuries to check on over the next few days before we know who is available.
"We are disappointed that we haven't got two wins, that is what we were targeting, but the effort from the players has been great.
"We have just not been able to finish off opponents - and that will come. The side is starting to work together really well and we are certainly not down."
In the meantime, the Borders take on Connacht at Netherdale on Friday night with coach Tony Gilbert declaring their Celtic Cup opener is "a huge, huge game".
"We had a close game against Connacht last season in the first match the Borders ever played and we were disappointed to lose that game.
"However, this season Connacht has won 11-3 against Edinburgh Rugby and we were thrashed 53-7 in Edinburgh last weekend so to be competitive against Connacht we will have to be right up to the mark.
"We will have the advantage of playing at home but right now we need everything we can get.
"We may have an inexperienced side and some long-term injuries but on Friday night the challenge for us against Connacht will be to be competitive against them."
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