Justin Harrison Ulster captain

A great man once said ' If you're not first, you're last'.

Playing in Europe has a different emphasis to Super 14

There has never been a truer word spoken when considering the Heineken Cup pool matches. Sure you have a chance to qualify as best-placed second in your pool.

But when it comes to the collection of teams in Ulster's group you're dreaming if you think that best-placed second will give you a sniff of the quarters.

Heineken campaigns are built on the back of strong home performances and consistent away form. Ulster have one of the two at the moment.

But for the team to progress into the quarters and excise the demons that it has carried since it's flirtation with greatness in '99, then an away win against London Irish is compulsory.

The Heineken is an interrupted competition with Magners League, Guinness Premiership, autumn Test matches and RBS Six Nations, interspersed between pool matches and the finals.

This results in fluctuating performances by teams as their focus and any momentum gained is shifted by the continually changing rugby horizon from week to week.

Many pundits often ask, how does the Heineken Cup compare with the Super 14 in the Southern Hemisphere? Well the simple truth is they don't.

But they are the same sport so I should at least try you say. Ok. Heineken Cup rugby has a different emphasis to Super 14.

In Super 14 you are given many opportunities to obtain and maintain possession. The rugby is high phase and high risk.

That typically leads to several turn over situations that allow both teams many broken field situations in which to attack and that often lead to high-scoring matches.

Wallace will want to put one over his Ireland colleagues

Heineken rugby gives you your cleanest and best possession from set-piece situations.

Scrums and line-outs are paramount to any team's success, and it is often the only time a team gets a chance to construct phases against the opposition and attempt to manipulate the defense to create mis-matches.

If after three phases a team hasn't penetrated then typically the ball is put out or up - way up. Kicks are made to create another line-out or a contestable bomb, which limits the counter-attacking ability of the opponent.

Both competitions are clearly breeding grounds for international talent, but one is only left wondering how good the Heineken would be if it was played concurrently and teams were able to build momentum and consistency.

The form of teams in their respective competitions - like the Magners League - is imperative for them to take confidence and momentum into Heineken Cup pool matches.

There is no better way to garner just such characteristics than from a strong performance against local rivals. Ulster is faced with this prospect this weekend.

Inter-provincial matches carry with them a huge emphasis and potential for danger.

Players are distracted by the obvious personal battles that are thought to be necessary to gain ascendancy on the test selection table.

Naturally, supporters demand that they are provided with bragging rights on Monday morning, and there is also the underlying feeling that when you play for Ulster you are representing a country within a country, the wee country.

There is no greater pressure created than when you are facing an opponent who is competing for the same test jumper as you. Justin Harrison

All of the above can lead to players 'playing' the match before a whistle has been blown and arriving on game day mentally and physically drained.

The challenge is to surround yourself in routine and relaxation - this does not mean doing a Rip van Winkle and sleeping for a week.

It requires that a player understands what is important to him, process before result.

There is no greater pressure created than when you are facing an opponent who is competing for the same test jumper as you.

He has played and trained with you for many years and knows how you play. You can feel the national coach's eyes burning holes in your hands, thousands of fans want office and country credibility and you know that you have the key to success in your hands and legs.

Well, if all of this is running through a player's head, then watch him disintegrate in front of you.

No player can carry the mental burden of provincial derbies into the match and hope to play his game.

Recognize the factors involved in these matches, definitely - fear them, no.

Welcome them, embrace them and then discard them for they will not get you through a match and help you play above yourself.