Ulster have enjoyed a strong start to the season, winning all seven of their matches so far – one of only three teams to achieve this feat in the 2020/2021 season.
Memories of last year’s play-off game, however, should be fresh for both teams, and perhaps even more so for Edinburgh.
Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh side made history last season by securing a home semi-final at Murrayfield, and they appeared to be on their way to a fairly comfortable win back in September before it all turned against them in the last quarter, and they ended up losing after the final hooter.
It was a mortal blow to the Scottish side’s rise to become one of the top teams in the competition, as they have struggled ever since.
Edinburgh recorded successive wins before being beaten 50-10 by defending champions Leinster two weeks ago, but generally it has been a tough season for them with only three victories in their seven matches.
They will, however, be hoping to return to action feeling re-energised after last week’s scheduled clash against the Dragons was postponed.
A win over the team that beat them in the semi-final will be a massive boost and will mark a big step in their efforts to obliterate that memory.
With South African loose forward Marcell Coetzee in such impressive form and very much the talisman for Ulster, who have started the new season as if they have a train to catch, Edinburgh will have their work cut out.
The other unbeaten team is Johann van Graan’s Munster, who have already opened up an 11 point lead at the top of Conference B, and will rate their chances of holding on or extending that advantage as they host Italian team Zebre in Limerick.
The match between the Scarlets and Leinster, meanwhile, has been postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests in the Scarlets camp.
Guinness PRO14 Round 8 fixtures (SA Time):
Saturday, 28 November
23h35: Connacht v Ospreys - The Sportsground, Galway
Sunday, 29 November
19h00: Benetton v Dragons – Stadio Comunale Di Monigo, Treviso
23h35: Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors - Rodney Parade, Newport
Monday, 30 November
00h15: Munster v Zebre - Thomond Park, Limerick
00h15: Edinburgh v Ulster - BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
