**The European Champions Cup returns this week and Ulster head coach Dan McFarland says he can’t wait to play Toulouse this weekend.** Ulster have been immense in the Guinness PRO14 this season, winning all eight of their matches to keep pace with Conference A big guns and defending champions Leinster. Now they hope to take that form onto the European stage and [against a Toulouse side that won 36-8 in last season’s quarter-final.](https://www.epcrugby.com/2020/12/08/mcfarland-looking-forward-to-toulouse-test/ ) “We’re obviously in a good position and there’s a good feeling that comes with the confidence that you get from winning,” explained McFarland. “But we’re also under no illusion that playing during international windows in domestic competitions – it doesn’t matter what domestic competition it is – is different to playing in Champions Cup games out of international windows. “Playing against a team like Toulouse, perennial champions of the competition who have beaten us by 30-odd points the last time we were playing in Europe, the mountain we have to climb is significant.” [McFarland will have to deal with some injury issues though](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/rugby-union/55216911 ), with key lock Iain Henderson set to see a knee specialist after he was ruled out of the contest. Henderson was hurt in Ireland’s match with Scotland last weekend and joins an injury list that also includes fly-half Billy Burns. Elsewhere in Ireland, Leinster assistant coach Felipe Contepomi has backed prop Tadhg Furlong to return to form and fitness soon. Furlong has not played in almost ten months after hurting his calf in the Six Nations earlier this year. "We'll take the time necessary to make sure he's in the best physical, mental and technical moment for him to come back and be a success," Contepomi said. "For Leinster and Ireland fans, don't worry, when he comes back he'll be flying. He'll be a really good asset for both." [Johnny Sexton is also a doubt for their match against Montpellier](https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/leinster-rugby/furlong-future-is-not-in-doubt-insists-contepomi-39838496.html) after the captain picked up a dead leg last weekend. "It's not that straightforward, he picked up a dead leg and he's been carrying some soft-tissue issues so we'll reassess him every day," Contepomi said. "If we risk him now, say he's not 100 per cent and we play him against Montpellier and we get him out for the next four or five games it's not worth it. Sometimes you have to wait a bit longer and have him for more games in a row." In Wales, Ospreys managing director Andrew Millward has [called on the Welsh Government to support them](https://www.ospreysrugby.com/news/ospreys-statement-return-crowds) and allow fans to return to matches. In England, sports fans returned last week and Ospreys are keen to open their doors once again. In Scotland, Glasgow Warriors [have bid a temporary goodbye to lock Lewis Bean](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/bean-back-saints-after-successful-spell-glasgow-3060232 ), who has returned to parent club Northampton Saints for their first two European matches. Bean joined Glasgow at the start of November and has started three matches so far, while he will return to the Guinness PRO14 later this month.
