Billy Burns said victory over Racing 92 in the Investec Champions Cup can end Ulster’s recent slump in form and be a “springboard” for their season.
The Irish province have faded after a positive start to the season and have lost three games in a row.
Defeat by Bath in their Euro opener has put Ulster on the back foot ahead of Racing’s visit to Belfast on Saturday.
“Every game is really important but especially when you are on a run like this,” fly-half Burns said.
“We’ve been extremely disappointed. When you are at a province like this who expect to win every week, which all us players do, any time you lose it is disappointing.”
Ulster’s poor run of form began with a United Rugby Championship loss in Glasgow, before Edinburgh stunned Dan McFarland’s side at Kingspan Stadium the following week.
Their European campaign got off to a poor start as Bath ran out comfortable 37-14 winners at the Rec as a number of mistakes cost Ulster.
Racing enter the game on the back of a narrow defeat by Harlequins in Paris in their first European match.
“In Europe, when you lose your first game you’ve probably got to win the rest of them and Racing will probably be in the same mindset this weekend,” said Burns, who added there was a “tough changing room” after Ulster’s defeat by Edinburgh in Belfast.
“My best nights have been here against the likes of Racing, Toulouse or whoever it may be. These big European games are the ones you want to be in.
“What an opportunity for us to show yes, we’re in a tough spot at the moment but we are fighting hard to get out of it.
“If we can turn it around and do it against a team like this then that can be the springboard to kick us on for the rest of the reason and the tournament.”
While Burns admits Ulster’s current form is “really tough”, he says he would not rather be in the situation with “any other group” and he feels confident the squad can dig themselves out of a rough patch.
“We’re in a period where we are trying to change our game a little bit so some of it is to be expected – but a lot of it is stuff we need to get better at out on the training park.
“There has been a shift in mindset in terms of how we are trying to play and it’s going to take a little bit of time to come together.
“We’re actually playing the way we want to, it’s probably that bit of top-end accuracy that we are missing.
“We’ve shown over the past few years, especially in the time I’ve been here, that we can muscle out wins with a strong kicking game and a strong set-piece.
“We want to move the game on a little bit and play a bit more expansive. We have a new pitch in and you look at some of our backs – you need those boys getting the ball in space.
“To play at the speed we want to play at, there is always going to be mistakes but we are making far too many at the moment.
“We know it has been frustrating for fans to watch and frustrating for us playing but I firmly believe when we do get it right, it will be worth the wait. Hopefully, we can take a step forward this weekend and keep building.”
‘When Kitshoff speaks, you listen’
McFarland’s side were set to be boosted by the arrival of Springbok World Cup winning prop Steven Kitshoff, who joined the province after the tournament.
However, his arrival has coincided with a poor run of form and the 31-year-old has yet to win a game in Ulster colours.
Burns says that Kitshoff “has been brilliant” for the squad and he will “be a huge player for us in times to come”.
“When you are as successful as someone like him – and I know our results haven’t warranted it – it gives everyone a lift and fills you with confidence,” Burns added on his new team-mate.
“I imagine he’s probably not been through many times like this before but he has such experience a lot of the younger guys can look to him for guidance.
“He’s one of those guys who probably doesn’t speak a huge amount but when he does speak you listen. The stuff he gives you is invaluable.
“He’s still finding his feet. It’s early for him, a big change, but I think he will be a huge player for us in times to come.”
Burns added that Kitshoff’s attitude in training has given the entire team a lift and added confidence that Ulster can work their way out of their current slump.
“We’re delighted to have him. He’s such an approachable guy.
“I’ve noticed a lot of the young props especially asking for advice and he’s always there to talk. Everyone just works hard and has their feet on the ground.
“You take Steven – he has won multiple World Cups but he is as hungry as anyone when he trains out on the pitch. He’s running around like an 18-year-old lad.
“I feel like in a lot of interviews I’ve done over the years, I’ve said we’re a young team. We’re not any more. We’ve enough experience to be at the right end of big competitions.
“We want to perform now and I think the blend in the squad is good.”