South African back row Juarno Augustus insists Ulster are in the European Challenge Cup to win it ahead of the opening group game with Racing 82 at Ravenhill on Friday night.

Ulster were 40 minutes away from the final of the competition in 2021 as they led Leicester Tigers 17-6 at half-time in Welford Road before eventually losing 33-24.

This season will mark the first time the province have played in the group stages of the second-tier competition after they failed to qualify for the Champions Cup following last season’s 14th place league finish.

However, with four wins from five games and having reached the Champions Cup final with Northampton Saints last season before departing for Belfast, Augustus wants a winner’s medal.

placeholder image — Ulster's Juarno Augustus during a media call ahead of Friday's European clash with Racing 92. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

“We play in two competitions, and we want to go for both, so everyone's focused, ready to go for the weekend and we'll see how the first game goes and then take it from there,” said Augustus.

“It was quite good with Saints last season, we had a good run in Europe, made it to the final, unfortunately we didn't win, but hopefully I can bring some of that experience into the team and make it a little bit easier for the guys in this competition.

“In general, because you're playing against the best teams in Europe, it just boosts your confidence immediately. It shows you who you are as a team, playing against the best teams in Europe, you can measure yourself, who you are, and I think that can be a confidence-booster for us.”

Along with prop Angus Bell, Augustus was a key signing for Ulster in the summer, and he’d admits he’d rather lead by example than words.

“I'd say I like leading more with actions rather than speaking, because we have a few senior boys that does all the talking,” he added.

“I'll say something if I feel it's needed, but I won't just say something just to say it – I like leading with actions rather than talking.”

Brought in for his ball carrying prowess, the South African is expecting a tough battle up front with the Parisians.

“The French teams, they tend to be physical, but there's some physical teams in the URC as well and in the English Premiership,” Augustus said.

“They're big ball carriers, love scrumming, love mauling, we know that and we're preparing for it; if it comes on the weekend, hopefully we'll be well prepared for that.”

Augustus was a late developer on the rugby pitch, revealing that he used to sneak out so his mother didn’t know he was playing.

“My dad played rugby, and he always talks about how good he was, I never watched him so I can't tell,” he said.

“My brother played and he was a really good flanker and he made me fall in love with rugby. If he played, I'd go watch him, all his mates play, so on a weekend I'd go, sometimes I'd pack some shorts in and then I'd ask my cousin to pack some boots in, because then my mum wouldn’t know that I'm taking boots with me to the field.

"And then when I get to the field, I'll ask my cousin ‘where are the boots’ and sometimes I'll play as well, so that's where I got the love for the game.”