The Irish province secured a spot in the last four after a commanding 57-21 win over Harlequins in the Round of 16 before a comeback success over Northampton Saints (35-27) in the last eight.

The pair of away wins were rewarded with another trip to England, this time to take on two-time European champions Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Friday night, a team reinvigorated under head coach Steve Borthwick.

“It’s interesting that we’ve had three English opposition and they’ve all been away from home,” McFarland said.

“The travelling makes it more different in a physical side of things but it focuses the mind a bit more on the task in hand.

“It adds a challenge to it which is quite exciting and if you are going to do it the hard way you can utilise that.

“Like a mountaineer, they look for a different way of doing it better than before and we can frame it like that. It’s a challenge worth taking on.”

McFarland did concede that his side will have to improve their game to reach a first Challenge Cup final, after a disappointing defeat to Connacht Rugby in their opening Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup match last weekend.

“It’s going to be a big challenge,” added the 49-year-old. “It would be a mistake to think that because Leicester sit below Northampton that they will be any easier.

“I actually think it will be a more difficult game as Northampton offer more opportunities to play your way.

“Against Leicester, if you don’t do certain things you will struggle. You have to be able to deal with their set-piece, their aerial game and their heavy runners.

“Teams offer different threats and Leicester offer threats – they have a good game of counter-ruck so we will have to be strong at those breakdowns as well.”

You can watch Leicester Tigers v Ulster Rugby from Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Friday 30 April at 20:00 (UK and Irish time), live on BT Sport.

Ulster Rugby head coach Dan McFarland has said his side are focused in on a successful third European Rugby Challenge Cup trip across the Irish Sea after knockout stage victories over Harlequins and Northampton Saints.