Andy Friend anticipates onslaught from in-form Ulster

Both sides lost their two Heineken Champions Cup games this month

Ulster’s Eric O’Sullivan at the end of the Champions Cup defeat to Gloucester. Picture: INPHO/Billy Stickland

The PRO14 head coaches will have had plenty to chew on so far in the festive season after the restructure of the season was announced on Wednesday and Connacht’ Andy Friend and Dan McFarland of Ulster know that tomorrow’s clash at the Sportsground has suddenly taken on new importance.

Ulster, having played a game more, are just ahead of maximum points Leinster at the top of Conference A, while Connacht are a dozen points adrift of Munster in the other pool, albeit having played two games less.