Brian McLaughlin cannot be accused of deliberately downplaying Ulster’s forthcoming fixtures.

Nor, in highlighting the importance of the next two matches, is he guilty of any double-bluff.

For on this occasion the normally conservative Ulster coach has described Friday night’s Magners League clash with Glasgow Warriors and the following Saturday’s Heineken Cup date with Stade Francais as “two games that will play a huge part in defining our season”.

The norm in modern-day sport is for coaches and players alike to repeat that weary ‘one game at a time’ mantra, suggesting that they never think ahead beyond the next fixture.

Not this time, though. McLaughlin knows that his side’s impressive start to the season could be dealt two serious blows were they to lose to Glasgow and Stade.

Stressing just how competitive things are in the Magners League the Ulster coach said: “If we were to lose to Glasgow and a couple of those around us were to win this weekend, that could see us drop from fourth to seventh spot.

“That’s how tight things are in this competition so with a top four place being our goal we know what’s at stake.

“Friday night is a very, very important match for us. It’s at home and we know how important it is that we win our Ravenhill games.

“The following week is the European Cup and again we recognise that if we’re to progress in that competition we’re going to have to win at home. If we were to lose to Stade at Ravenhill, that would make it very, very difficult for us to qualify for the knockout stages.”

Each of the three Ulster players who took part in Saturday’s Ireland-South Africa battle at Croke Park is sidelined — Paddy Wallace and Stephen Ferris have ankle injuries while BJ Botha has a knee injury.

Ravenhill sources confirmed that Ferris and Botha were to have played, while Wallace was pencilled in as a replacement.

Andrew Trimble is rested and five others — Rory Best, Bryn Cunningham, Matt McCullough, Mark McCrea and Robbie Diack — are at various stages of recovery from a variety of injuries.

On a more positive note, Irish loose head Tom Court has returned intact following his impressive exertions against Fiji for whom Ulster colleague, Timoci ‘Jimmy’ Nagusa turned out at the RDS on November 21. He, too, is back in one piece.

“We’d 15 players away on international duty with Ireland, Ireland ‘A’, South Africa, Scotland and Fiji, which is great recognition for Ulster,” said McLaughlin.

“And while those players were away with their various international squads the Ravens played and won two matches, with a bonus point on each occasion. So all of our squad players have been involved.

“The next few days will be about focusing on Friday night’s match and making sure we’re ready to face Glasgow.”

Fit-again flanker David Pollock has made the senior squad, confirming the totality of his recovery following hip surgery.

The 15 starters and seven replacements will be named at noon tomorrow (Thursday).

Forwards: Tom Court, Bryan Young, Declan Fitzpatrick, Adam Macklin, Justin Fitzpatrick, Andy Kyriacou, Nigel Brady, Ed O'Donoghue, Ryan Caldwell, Dan Tuohy, David Pollock, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry (captain), Tamaiti Houra, Thomas Anderson

Backs: Clinton Schifcofske, Simon Danielli, Timoci Nagusa, Jonny Shiels, Niall O'Connor, Ian Humphreys, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Paul Marshall, Isaac Boss, Jamie Smith.