Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Kingspan Stadium

Last season, Ulster bounced back from a humbling opening Champions Cup defeat by Bath to beat Racing 92 at home.

They're in a similar situation this afternoon, having to face Bordeaux just six days on from last week's embarrassing nine-try mauling in Toulouse.

Last year's display against Racing was among Ulster's best in the latter stages of the Dan McFarland era. Simply put, they must summon a performance of equal resilience and power here to turn Bordeaux over and extinguish the agony of last week.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has sent a message with his team selection this afternoon, with an entirely new pack and debutant Zac Ward awaiting Bordeaux.

The home side should not be short of motivation but today must be about steering away from the basic errors they made against Toulouse. Do that and they can kick-start their European campaign.

Zac Ward will make his senior debut for Ulster as part of a much-changed team.

Ward, who shone for Ireland sevens in the Paris Olympics before joining the Ulster squad at the start of this season, starts on the left wing.

His inclusion is one of 10 personnel changes from the side that began last week's 61-21 defeat by holders Toulouse in France.

Jude Postlethwaite is drafted in at centre, with Michael Lowry moving to full-back.

Head coach Richie Murphy has opted to change his entire pack, with seven Ireland internationals named among the forwards.

Hooker Rob Herring makes his first Ulster start of the campaign and is joined in the front row by Eric O'Sullivan and Tom O'Toole.

In the second row Iain Henderson returns to captain the side for the Pool 1 fixture as he makes his 50th European appearance, where he is joined by Kieran Treadwell.

Cormac Izuchukwu and Nick Timoney are the flankers, with David McCann selected at number eight.

Aidan Morgan and Nathan Doak again make up the half-back partnership.

Ulster: Lowry; Kok, Postlethwaite, McCloskey, Ward; Morgan, Doak; O'Sullivan, Herring, O'Toole; Henderson (capt), Treadwell; Izuchukwu, Timoney, McCann.

Replacements: Andrew, Warwick, Wilson, Sheridan, Marcus Rea, Shanahan, Humphreys, Telfer.

Bordeaux: Biarrey, Penaud, Depoortere, Moefana, Retiere, Carbery, Lucu (capt); Poirot, Latterade; Sadie, Petti; Gray, Gazzotti, Swinton, Tatafu.

Replacements: Lamothe, Boniface, Tamiefuna, Coleman, Rigard, Vergnes-Talferer, Tapuai, Garcia.

Image source, Getty Images

Next up we have Ulster taking on Bordeaux in Belfast.

Richie Murphy’s men will be looking to recover from last weekend’s record 61-21 defeat against top of the French Top 14 side, Toulouse.

Ulster have made 10 changes to their side this week as they prepare to face the team that currently sits second in the French Top 14, Bordeaux Begles.

Can Ulster put on a better show in front of home fans?

Follow all the action with our live text commentary.

Image source, Inpho

What a result for Northampton Saints. They weathered plenty of pressure and were clinical at the other end.

The Premiership champions are two from two in the Champions Cup.

Saints win the penalty and Fin Smith clips it over the posts to restore a bit of a cushion.

It's all set for some finish in Pretoria.

Canan Moodie makes the break and keeps the ball alive with a clever offload to Embrose Papier.

Bulls then move the ball wide but Fraser Dingwall puts in a terrific last-ditch hit to keep them out.

Into the final 15 minutes, Saints are well-placed to claim a famous away win in South Africa.

A converted try for the hosts, however, would drag them back to within one point.

Fin Smith makes no mistake with a routine shot at goal and Saints extend their lead to beyond a converted try.

Bulls continue to knock on the door despite Canan Moodie's try being chalked off.

They keep it at close quarters but Francois Klopper cannot take the short pass cleanly and Saints escape.

Lennie Newman
Former Northampton Saints player and manager

The rugby gods are really looking down on Northampton Saints this afternoon because that's the third try that's been disallowed.

Rightly so, because there is separation between hand and ball. They got in each other's way there.

The hosts think they have tied the game but Canan Moodie loses control of the ball as he attempts to ground it.

Both the centre and Willie le Roux chase down the clip over but neither are able to get it down.

Bulls moves the ball left and then right but it's spilled forward by big Wilco Louw on the carry.

The hosts have not been clinical enough from good positions so far.

Saints are boosted by the return of Emmanuel Iyogun from the bin.

Henry Pollock puts one hand on the ball at the breakdown and secures a good turnover.

Pressure relieved for Saints.

It's a straight foot race between Devon Williams and Tommy Freeman after Willie le Roux's clever kick through.

The Saints winger just wins the battle and grounds the ball behind his own try line.

Rapid.

Fin Smith chips the ball into the Bulls half and we are back up and running.

The players are back to the field and we are all set for the second half...