Cool McLaughlin focused as Ulster bid to blitz Biarritz

ULSTER haven’t escaped the Heineken Cup pool stages in 11 years — but they have a real chance to break that unwanted record this weekend.

Ulster face a make-or-break Pool 4 showdown with group leaders Biarritz Olympique at Ravenhill on Saturday but they were boosted yesterday by news that lock Dan Tuohy has signed a new two-year deal, while prop Paddy McAllister and centre Nevin Spence have upgraded from development to full contracts.

The French club, beaten Heineken Cup finalists both seven months ago and in 2006, top the pool with a three-point buffer over Ulster but they’ve already slipped up once on the road this season, when they went down 28-27 at tournament newcomers Aironi.