Ulster coach Alan Solomons believes his forwards will hold the key when they travel to Wasps in the Heineken Cup on Sunday.

Ulster are well placed to reach the knockout stages from Pool Two, although it would be as a best runner-up behind group leaders Stade Francais.

Victories against Wasps, and then Italian champions Treviso in Belfast next Friday night, should be enough to progress.

"The key will be to lay a foundation up front, and then you can start to play," said Solomons.

"Our front five did exceptionally well in the home game against Wasps earlier this season, and it will require the same calibre of performance on Sunday."

Skipper Andy Ward added: "We have worked hard this season on instilling self-belief, and beating Wasps earlier this season has given us the belief that perhaps wasn't there in the past."

Fly-half David Humphreys amassed a tournament-record 37 points when Ulster demolished Wasps 42-19 last October, and he could again be the danger man.

Wasps, struggling for Zurich Premiership consistency and already out of Europe, are once again hit by injuries and unavailability.

Josh Lewsey and Mike Friday are both on England sevens duty, while wing Kenny Logan and flanker Joe Worsley rest niggling injuries.

Michael Roberts lands a rare chance on the left-wing, with lock Joe Beardshaw moving into the back row to cover Worsley's absence alongside Paul Volley and Mark Lock.

Saracens, who will be captained by Tim Horan instead of the rested Kyran Bracken, should take another giant stride towards the Parker Pen European Shield quarter-finals on Sunday by brushing aside Vicarage Road visitors Dinamo Bucharest.