Duane Vermeulen knows it is all or nothing for Ulster in this evening's must-win Champions Cup game at home to Sale Sharks.
Dan McFarland's men have the chance to rescue their European hopes if they can beat a Sale side who hammered them 39-0 in their Pool B opener at the AJ Bell Stadium six weeks ago.
It will be a tough test against the Sharks, who currently sit one place above Ulster in the group table, but the province know they could squeeze into the knockout stages with a win and if other results go their way.
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Favourable results in the fixtures involving Montpellier and ASM Clermont Auvergne, would secure Ulster's place in the knockout stages for the fourth time in the past five seasons.
"We've got one last shot in the competition and we're going to give it our all," said Vermeulen.
"It's been a tough time and the young players in particular thrive on confidence so if things aren't going your way it becomes difficult and the big thing is the mental approach.
"The last couple of games we have lost in the last couple of minutes so that's probably the most difficult element for every player in the squad.
"I think mentally it's been a tough thing for boys. There's a lot of youngsters and they thrive on confidence.
"If things aren't going their way, it becomes a difficult thing. A lot of guys may feel ‘I’m scared of doing this’ and you stay a little bit in your shell.
“It is small margins. Playing Champions Cup is kind of like playing Test rugby, you have got to work for every inch and everyone has got to be on song.
"I'm still confident in our ability as a team and hopefully we can add a little bit more on the mental side of the game.
"Every player needs to look at that when we review the game, put your hand up and say 'I made the mistake'.
"As players we need to step up and control the controllables.
“That is the one thing that will change our season. If we can have one victory, the confidence is there but something needs to spark it just to get everybody to shine again."
In the absence of Iain Henderson, lock Alan O’Connor will lead the Ulster men, with Wallaby Sam Carter getting the nod alongside him in the engine room.
Academy prospect Harry Sheridan, who impressed in his senior debut off the bench in La Rochelle last weekend, is rewarded with a start at blindside flanker. Sheridan can lean on the experience of Irish international Nick Timoney and Springbok star Vermeulen, who join him in the back row.
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