Ulster’s Zac Ward says facing up against Bordeaux-Begles duo Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud, considered two of the best wings in rugby, “definitely excited me”.

Bordeaux host Ulster in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday and Bielle-Biarrey and Penaud, who both helped France to the Six Nations title, are expected to feature.

Bielle-Biarrey was the top try scorer in the Six Nations and was named player of the tournament.

Ward, 26, won his first cap for Ulster in the Pool One match between the sides in December, which Bordeaux won 40-19 in Belfast.

“I want to compete against the best in the business,” said Ward, who made the switch from sevens rugby after the Paris Olympics.

“It was my first cap here playing against those two guys. I was a bit nervous beforehand, but a friend of mine said they were just two guys with two arms and two legs, so just to try and think of it like that.

“It’s easier said than done but I’ll try and do the same this weekend.”