HEINEKEN CUP
Venue: Ravenhill Date: Friday, 15 January Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio Ulster medium wave and the BBC Sport website

Nigel Brady has been a regular starter for Ulster recently

Hooker Nigel Brady is relishing his status as a regular starter for Ulster in recent weeks - and knows the importance of producing another big display in Friday's Heineken Cup game against Edinburgh at Ravenhill.

Having lived in the shadow of Ireland international Rory Best for several seasons, the born and bred Ulsterman appears to be winning his battle with Andy Kyriacou for the number two shirt, but is taking nothing for granted.

"It was unfortunate that Rory got injured and has not been able to play so far this season, but from a personal point of view I've enjoyed getting a good run of games in a settled front row.

"Andy and I have been having a good old battle for the hooker's jersey and we are both aware that we have to keep playing well to keep our place.

"When a settled front row gets a good run of games together it helps develop a bit of cohesion and both props, BJ (Botha) and Tom (Court), have been playing well.

"BJ is a very good scrum technician, among the best in the world, and Tom is also very powerful so the scrum is looking quite solid, improving week on week, and the team is reaping the rewards," said Brady.

The 30-year-old explained that the Ulster squad's preparations for the game had not been disrupted by the recent freezing weather conditions.

"We have been travelling back and forward from Jordanstown to Ashfield school's 3G pitch, so we have not missed a single day's training.

"Confidence is high after some good performances in recent games and we are looking forward to playing again after last week's game against the Ospreys was postponed.

Our lack of discipline cost us badly at Murrayfield in October and our second half display was not good enough Stephen Ferris

"That was just one of those things but at least it has given us plenty of time to prepare for and concentrate on this match.

"There is a unique atmosphere leading up to Heineken Cup games and we are all focused on achieving the right result and putting in a massive performance.

"Home games in European competition are particularly special and we know we have got to get the right result on Friday night if we are to have any chance of making the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

"We were very frustrated with the way we played against Edinburgh at Murrayfield and allowed a victory to slip through our fingers in our Magners League game against the same opposition at Ravenhill - so we owe them big time.

"The atmosphere on European nights at Ravenhill is renowned and always seems to startle the opposition a bit - hopefully it will be the same this week."

Flanker Stephen Ferris is another wanting to exact revenge on the Scottish outfit.

"Our lack of discipline cost us badly at Murrayfield in October and our second half display was not good enough.

"Edinburgh are a fine side and Chris Paterson is ultra-consistent in knocking over the kicks so we must avoid giving away too many penalties.

"Our target is to win both our remaining games to give us a chance to progress, and a bonus point would be nice.

Darren Cave has been suffering with niggling injury concerns

"There is still a lot of rugby to be played in our pool and if we can beat Edinburgh, we then face a potential cup final against Bath the following week.

"We have had to do a bit more travelling to take part in our training sessions and have maybe not had as much rest, but we have to deal with it, get our head right and our preparations right," said the British and Irish Lion.

Meanwhile centre Darren Cave is likely to start against Edinburgh, having overcome ongoing back and hamstring problems.

"Edinburgh are a very hard team to beat but we showed in both the games we played against them that we can break them down.

"We're confident that we can cause them problems if we get our game right.

"Our performances have been reasonable since our poor display against Glasgow and it is really all about how clinical we are.

"We played some nice rugby against Leinster but were not clinical enough, whereas we did take our try-scoring chances against Munster".

Cave added that he was "delighted with his own form" up until November but had not played as well as he would have liked during December.

"I didn't feature as much as I'd have liked last month but there is no better opportunity to find my form than in this game, if I'm selected," said Cave.

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