Confident Ulster can still reel in Saracens in Champions Cup, reckons Franco van der Merwe

Ulster’s all-action South African lock Franco van der Merwe is in no doubt the province are ready to step up to the plate as they prepare for the second leg of their back-to-back Champions Cup clash with four-time winners Toulouse.

There are not too many teams that go to Toulouse and emerge unscathed. Ulster have been there a few times, including in their successful 1999 campaign, and never come away with the points. Unbeaten this year at home, Toulouse will be smarting after last week’s 38-0 drubbing at Ravenhill.

But the former Golden Lions and Sharks star, who made one appearance for the Springboks, is in no doubt that after the win last week, anything is possible, even though Saracens are runaway favourites to win Pool 1.