John Cooney continues to inspire Ulster and is just the fuel injection Ireland need for Six Nations challenge

Ulster's John Cooney scores a try against Munster

Ulster at Clermont Auvergne in a crunch European Champions Cup tie - an upset in France is certainly not beyond the Irish Province given their current impressive run of form.

Few would have been tipping Dan McFarland’s side of going to Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday for their penultimate Pool Three clash and seeing off the Top 14 side in their own backyard.

The reality is, based on the past six weeks at least, that current pool three leaders, Ulster have the potential to head to France and produce a performance that gives them the result they need which could well see them secure top spot in the group and a home quarter-final.

Let’s forget the permutations of try and losing bonus points. With Bath to come to Belfast a week later, any result which has an Ulster victory to it should be enough to see them secure their goal when the English side come a calling.

Personally I think Ulster have to go for broke in France. If all the front line players are available, then get them out there, Dan, this is too big an opportunity to be passed over.

The confidence Ulster would take from a win in France - it is not a rare occasion as Montpellier, Castres, Oyannax and Toulouse will testify to in most recent terms - but a victory in Clermont is still not on the stats.

But to beat one of the sides with strong aspirations on being European champions - and I would certainly not be writing them off - a victory over Clermont and getting a home tie in Belfast would be absolutely massive for Ulster. It would also continue the upward curve of progress at the club.