Image source, Inpho

Ulster back row Juarno Augustus said that his side are preparing to face a "physical" Racing 92 side.

Richie Murphy's side have had a good start to the United Rugby Championship season, picking up four wins from their five games.

Racing 92 are 11th in France's Top 14 with six wins from their 11 games and Augustus knows what type of challenge they will present for his side at the Affidea Stadium.

"I've played against Racing at Northampton [Saints] they're quite physical and heavy, but if we can move them around it will be an easier game for us and that's what we want to do," he told BBC Sport NI.

Augustus arrived at Ulster in the summer after four seasons with Northampton and said that he has settled "pretty well" in Belfast.

The 27-year-old returned for the province's 47-13 home win against Benetton last weekend after an arm injury ruled him out of their defeat by the Lions in October and is now striving for a sustained run in the starting side.

"I've had my arm injury two or three weeks ago, but I've parked that. It's behind me and I'm fit to play and looking forward to the weekend," he added.

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Rampant Ulster stormed to an impressive bonus-point win over Racing on a raucous Investec Champions Cup night at Kingspan Stadium.

Ulster saved their best for Europe and ended a three-game losing streak with a four-try, five-star display.

Nick Timoney scored in each half, with Stuart McCloskey and Matty Rea also crossing for the hosts.

Janick Tarrit scored two late tries for Racing after Nolann Le Garrec's first-half try.

A lot was expected from Racing's star-studded team under former Leinster coach Stuart Lancaster.

And while they were dangerous on the break, they gave possession away cheaply and conceded 12 penalties as they slipped to back-to-back defeats in the competition.

In contrast, Ulster came out with real purpose and conviction and shrugged off the disappointment of losing their last three games to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bath to take a positive step towards desired qualification for the last 16.

Joel Bell
BBC Sport NI at Affidea Stadium

Jason predicts Jacob Stockdale will score two tries this evening.

He has come to cheer on Ulster with Jude, Luke and Mel.

Image source, BBC Sport

Tony McWhirter
1999 Ulster European Cup winner on BBC Radio Ulster

Angus is one of the premier loosehead props in world rugby, and I think he'll add a lot to Ulster. I think he'll get a good reception when he comes on.

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Australia prop Angus Bell will make his debut on Friday after arriving in Belfast last week and Juarno Augustus has already been impressed by the 25-year-old's quality in training.

"He is a big boy," Augustus joked.

"He came in last week to show his face and he has started training this week with the boys. He looks quite well, is doing well in training and hopefully he can help the team.

"He is a big ball carrier and tackler and a nice guy. He looks like he enjoys being around us and you will probably see that on the field.

"With his experience playing international rugby, you can learn off him and hopefully that can benefit the team."

Image source, Inpho

Australia prop Angus Bell is set to make his Ulster debut off the bench in tonight's Challenge Cup opener against Racing 92.

Bell, who has joined the Irish province on a short-term deal from NSW Waratahs until the end of the season, is named among the replacements with Sam Crean starting at loose-head.

Hooker Rob Herring and tight-head prop Tom O'Toole also come into the front row as Tom Stewart and Scott Wilson drop to the bench.

With Iain Henderson, Matthew Dalton and Cormac Izuchukwu ruled out, Charlie Irvine partners Harry Sheridan are paired in the second row. Irvine, 20, played the majority of last week's win over Benetton after Dalton's early injury.

Irvine's only previous Ulster start came in last season's defeat by the Bulls in Pretoria.

Nick Timoney captains the side in Henderson's absence alongside David McCann and Juarno Augustus in an unchanged back row.

Zac Ward is restored to the left wing after not featuring against Benetton as Werner Kok drops out. In-form Rob Baloucoune is retained on the right wing.

Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy continue their half-back partnership while Jude Postlethwaite and James Hume are again named in the centres, with Jacob Stockdale starting at full-back.

Ulster: Stockdale; Baloucoune, Hume, Postlethwaite, Z Ward; Murphy, Doak; Crean, Herring, O'Toole, Sheridan, Irvine, McCann, Timoney (capt), Augustus.

Replacements: Stewart, Bell, Wilson, Hopes, B Ward, McKee, Flannery, Moore.

Image source, Inpho

Ulster returned to winning ways in the United Rugby Championship by beating Benetton 47-13 at the Affidea Stadium.

Robert Baloucoune and Werner Kok scored first-half tries but Bautista Bernasconi and two penalties from Jacob Umaga gave Benetton a 13-12 lead at the break.

However, Ulster produced a strong second-half performance with tries from Kok, James Hume, Harry Sheridan, a penalty try and Baloucoune after the restart.

The home side had suffered an early blow just before kick-off after captain Iain Henderson, who was set from Ireland duty, was ruled out after the warm-up.

Ian Humphreys
Former Ulster fly-half Ian Humphreys on BBC Radio Sounds

The result isn't hugely important, the priority this season has to be to get back into the top eight and the Champions Cup.

Image source, Inpho

Tonight's venue.

Here are the four Pool Three matches that await Ulster this season.

Image source, Inpho

BBC Sounds

You can listen to tonight's European opener on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster.

Former Ulster players Ian Humphreys and Tony McWhirter are alongside Mark Sidebottom.

Gareth Steenson is on commentary alongside Jim Neilly.

Image source, Inpho

It's a day for ducks, and European rugby.

Ulster start their Challenge Cup campaign in a rainy Belfast against Racing 92.

You can listen live on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster, and we'll have live updates right here.

Thanks for joining us.