Ulster have won their last ten home games in the tournament but will be wary of Aironi's ability to pull off a one-off shock win on home turf at the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella.

Aironi famously pulled off arguably the biggest shock in the history of Heineken Cup rugby when they beat twice beaten finalists and French giants Biarritz in last season's tournament.

But the Belfast-based side will want to return home from Italy with all the spoils to put themselves in a good position for a qualification spot when they face the Tigers and Clermont after Christmas.