“Ravenhill is a fortress – they’ve beaten pretty much every top side at home,” says Murphy who is now the club's record-holder for appearances in Europe, overtaking previous captain Martin Corry with his 70th appearance in the home win over Clermont Auvergne during December.
“Ulster are very successful at Ravenhill, especially on a Friday night. It’s a very tough place to go and get a win.
“They beat Clermont there in the first game of the group and showed what a good side they are. Then they came to us and did a pretty good job as well so I’m expecting a very difficult match.
“It will be no different to any final or any game as big as that – we’re going to have to put in a very good performance up front, be defensively sound and kick our goals. It will be an arm wrestle and hopefully we get a bit of luck.”
Tigers have qualified for the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup 10 times in 14 previous attempts and qualification this year now rests on the outcome of the trip to Belfast and the home game against Aironi on Saturday, January 21.
Leicester are the only club to win back-to-back European titles, claiming the silverware in 2001 and 2002, but trail Ulster by two points in Pool 4 before this weekend. Clermont Auvergne are just a point adrift of the Tigers and host Ulster in Round 6.
“I knew when I saw the draw that it was going to be very difficult to get out of the pool,” Murphy added.
“It’s turned out to be a very tight group. Ulster are a very, very strong side at home and Clermont are also very difficult to beat.
“To have the group in our control, we have to go and get two wins in the final two games.”
