The French aristocrats come to Belfast seeking their first win at Ravenhill in what would be their fifth attempt.

Those previous four contests have always been memorable, none moreso than the first clash in 1999, Ulster winning a semi-final game 33-27 as they mached on to that historic European Cup win in Dublin agianst Colomiers.

In 2001, having been walloped 40-11 in Paris, Ulster won 19-16 in Belfast and two years later enjoyed another narrow win, 22-20.

The last meeting came in December 2004. Following a 30-10 reverse in France a week earlier, Ulster once again turned the formbook on its head with an 18-10 victory.

One name is associated with all those previous successes, David Humphreys.

But the talismanic outhalf is no longer aboard and new head coach, Matt Williams, also knows he cannot count on history to see them through this weekend.

"Stade are presently the best club side in the world at the minute and they would beat anyone, including Canterbury Crusaders," said Williams.

"I cannot see anyone getting close to them and they are coming here in absolutely great form."

Stade are unbeaten this season in the French Super 14, while Ulster finally got the monkey off their backs in the Magners League with a 13-9 win over Edinburgh last Friday, their first from four outings.

Williams said: "We have absolutely nothing to lose next week. The odds are going to be unbelieveably stacked against us, but they do not like leaving France and they certainly do not like coming to Belfast.

"No one has had a crack at them yet and we just have to go out and have a go at them. No side is unbeatable.