Clermont aim to keep perfect record
On the one previous occasion in 2011 when Clermont played in Belfast, they lost 11-16. Ulster ended a run of four defeats in five games with an encouraging 35-22 win over Cardiff Blues in the Welsh capital last weekend.
But Les Kiss' side will be without Irish international centre Jared Payne for the final four Pool matches following his kidney injury sustained in the Test against Australia. He is likely to be sidelined for three months.
Clermont, meanwhile, were beaten 35-40 by Pau in a game of nine tries at Stade du Hameau, yet still held onto the top spot in France. They now lead Montpelier by four points with Toulon and La Rochelle a point further back in third and fourth respectively.
The French side have already beaten Exeter Chiefs and Bordeaux-Begles in Pool Five and have won their last five European outings against Irish sides – four of them against Munster and one against Leinster.
Having already announced the signings of Scotland skipper Greig Laidlaw and Castres Olympique wing Remy Grosso for next season, Clermont have also recruited loose head prop Loni Uhila. He will join from the Hurricanes at the end of Super Rugby 2017.
The 27-year-old, nicknamed 'The Tongan Bear', has put pen to paper on a one-year deal with the option of two further seasons after that.
@ChampionsCup
