WATCHING CONNACHT PUTTING the Munster scrum under severe pressure down in Thomond Park last weekend could have brought a few bad memories to the surface for Ulster.

When the western province ended their 58-year losing streak in Belfast back in October, they gave Ulster a torrid time in the scrum, earning a penalty try on their way to a 22-15 win.

Connacht were able to sing The Fields at Kingspan Stadium back in October. Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Dan McFarland’s side have made major improvements in the scrum since that October evening but with Ulster missing first-choice tighthead prop Marty Moore due to injury, it will be one fascinating area tomorrow in a Guinness Pro14 quarter-final full of them.

“Our scrum is definitely to be feared and they’ll be looking out for that this weekend,” says Connacht lock Ultan Dillane of their confidence. “It’s good to know teams are starting to think that way about us.

“We need to iron out a few things, hopefully get our maul tidied up as well but it will be a big day for the set-piece.”

Ulster certainly have a few weapons of their own up front, particularly with captain Rory Best set to return from injury for what should be an emotional occasion on his last outing at Kingspan Stadium before retirement.

Iain Henderson has been a talismanic and destructive presence for Ulster all season, while South African destroyer Marcell Coetzee has been like to a new signing as he has largely stayed fit in the back row.

“We know what he’s capable of, especially that he will be a menace around the breakdown,” says Dillane of Coetzee. 

“We’ve got to try and keep an eye on him, just swim around that defence trying to sniff out some rucks. It won’t be easy at all but we’re looking forward to it.”

Promisingly, both provinces have also shown a desire to open up in attack over the course of this campaign, with Connacht scoring some stunning tries and Ulster passing the ball more often than any other side in the Pro14.

Coetzee’s form for Ulster is superb. Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

That Connacht have won in Belfast this season, as well as recording a second win in Galway in December, will be a motivator for Ulster but a source of confidence for Andy Friend’s team.

“We’ve beaten them up there this year but it was our first time in 50-odd years so I don’t think we can go up there with too much confidence,” says Connacht fullback Tiernan O’Halloran.

“It’s a hostile place to go. The crowd put a lot of pressure on the team and on the referee as well, so I think discipline is going to be huge for us.

“Ulster are a very physical team, they’ve got some individuals who like to go with a low tackle focus and some big guys, like Stuart McCloskey, who like to go for a choke tackle.