Muller hoping Ferris is fit for forward battle with Munster

Muller's men warmed-up for their second successive Heineken Cup away quarter-final with a comprehensive 45-7 victory over Aironi Rugby at Ravenhill last Friday. The only blemish on the night was an ankle injury to Irish flanker Stephen Ferris that forced him off after 33 minutes.

"Stephen rolled an ankle, it's swollen and it's probably worse than I thought. He is having a scan today just to see how it's healing up. We'll keep our fingers crossed, but we're worried," admitted Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin.

Ulster had to do without Ferris in their quarter-final defeat by Northampton Saints at Milton Keynes last year after he damaged his knee against the same Italian opposition. He underwent intensive physiotherapy treatment over the weekend and McLaughlin is ready to give his star back row man as much time as possible to heal.

"We'll know more as the week progresses, but he's going to be a bit of a doubt. We've got an extra couple of days as it is a Sunday game, which could stand us in good stead."

Losing Ferris would be a major blow for Ulster, but Muller is happy with the way his front five is performing and wants everyone in his side to concentrate on their accuracy at Thomond Park.

"First phase is key, especially against a side like Munster. Our scrum was really good against Aironi and Rory, Tom and John did a very good job up front," said Muller.

"We lost two line-outs and the back five put their hands up as well. But we know the animal we are playing this week is a totally different one and we need to do our homework and make sure we plan accordingly.

"Quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals are all about the small things. It is all about making sure you do the little things really well. Normally if you do that, the scoreboard and the result will look after itself."

Ulster beat Munster 33-17 in the RaboDirect PRO12 in December, picking up a bonus point with four tries, and have to return to Thomond Park on 5 May for the final round of regular PRO12 matches. Their last win in Limerick came in January, 2009 when they were emphatic winners by 37-11.

''We're under no illusions going to Thomond Park. We'll have to be very strong from a defensive perspective. We're a very dangerous rugby side when we are in control of the football," said McLaughlin.

"We're in an excellent position and, if we can perform the way we're capable of and keep it going for the full 80 minutes, then I think we can come away with a momentous win."