Murphy wants Ulster to recapture pre-Christmas form

Head coach Richie Murphy says Ulster must try to "get back to where we were pre-Christmas" before Friday's United Rugby Championship [URC] trip to Edinburgh (19:45 GMT).

Ulster have had promising season, but their momentum has stalled with two defeats in their past three games.

Friday's game is a rearranged match after the 3 October fixture was postponed because of Storm Amy.

"I still think it's key to mention that we're still very much a work in progress. We still have quite a young squad, developing and learning," Murphy told BBC Sport NI.

"Our performances here at home have probably been better than some of our performances away.

"We focus on ourselves and trying to tidy up our set-piece and also get back to where we were pre-Christmas. Once we were getting into the 22, we were really efficient and scoring a lot of tries. So that's where we need to get back to."

Edinburgh sit 12th in the table, 13 points behind sixth-placed Ulster, but the Scots boosted their play-offs hopes with victory over Scarlets last time out.

Friday's hosts have won the past two meetings with Ulster, including a 47-17 victory last season.

"[It's a] tough task at the weekend, to go away to Edinburgh, they're scrapping for points as well," added Murphy.

"The great thing for us is we're back on to a nice firm surface, which suits the style we want to try and play.

"I suppose it's a prequel to the main event maybe, on Saturday afternoon [when Ireland face Scotland], and what a game that will be. It'll be really exciting to see."

The Ulster squad is bolstered by the return of back row Juarno Augustus with versatile forward Matthew Dalton expected to be available for selection as well.

Cormac Izuchukwu, Jude Postlethwaite and Bryn Ward can also be called upon after their return from Ireland camp and Murphy feels the involvement of the province's players in the Six Nations "should help motivate us".

Having had no representatives in Ireland's win over Wales last year, seven Ulster players featured in last weekend's 27-17 win over the Welsh in Dublin.

"I think everyone gets involved with the Six Nations and, when we have seven guys involved in the game last week, I think it's really important that we watch our teammates and enjoy the performance that they put in," said Murphy.

"It should help motivate us as well in relation to going forward.

"I think everyone really enjoyed last weekend's rugby that was played on Friday [and] Saturday, it was just incredible stuff. Exciting weekend for them this week."