Ulster won't take a football mindset into Toulouse showdown, says Dan Soper

Dan Soper insists Ulster won’t be taking a Champions League football mindset into Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash with Toulouse in France.

This year’s last-16 ties in the competition are being played over two legs with the return fixture at the Kingspan Stadium next weekend.

But assistant coach Soper says Ulster won’t be limiting their ambitions or reduced to 'keeping the tie alive' with one eye on the return leg in Belfast.

Rory McIlroy plotting an alternative route to Masters success and elusive grand slam

He also name checked football's UEFA Champions League where two-legged affairs are the norm in the knockout stages.

“We are very much looking at game one and focused on trying to win game one,” said Soper.

“We haven’t really discussed at all that it’s a two-legged tie, it’s about going to try and win the game. That is our only focus.

“We’re not looking at it like a Champions League football type of thing. We are firmly focused on this game and going to Toulouse trying to win.”

Toulouse, five times winners of the competition and reigning champions, defeated Ulster 29-22 in the pool stages in Belfast last season.

They are strong odds-on to progress to this year's quarter-finals and are stacked with French internationals, including Grand Slam stars Antoine Dupon and Romain Ntamack.

“They have so many world beaters and so many talented guys who can pull something out of nothing and turn a game on its head very quickly,” said Soper.

“I guess with a team like that, with so many talented individuals, you have to be a strong collective and stay switched on.”

A bonus for Ulster is the fact flying winger Robert Baloucoune is available for selection after sitting out the province’s last two league games against the Stormers and