Preview: Ulster v Munster
Ulster have named their side to take on Heineken Cup finalists Munster in what is a crucial home Magners League fixture at Ravenhill on Wednesday.
Ulster have named their side to take on Heineken Cup finalists Munster in what is a crucial home Magners League fixture at Ravenhill on Wednesday.
Connacht are currently just four points behind Ulster in the battle for the remaining European top table place. Therefore, a win over Declan Kidney's side would give the Ulstermen welcome breathing space from their basement rivals.
Williams has made six changes to the XV that were defeated at the Arms Park over a week ago with captain Rory Best returning from injury to line up beside Bryan Young and Tom Court.
Stephen Ferris is back in action with Roger Wilson dropping out of squad and Neil Best named as back-row cover on the bench.
In the backs Williams has made three changes with the half-back partnership of Isaac Boss and Paddy Wallace replacing Paul Marshall and Niall O'Connor.
In the back three, Bryn Cunningham returns to start at full-back with young Mark McCrea named on the bench.
“We have a point to prove after the away fixture in Cork and what better way to prove it by beating one of the best teams in Europe,” said skipper Best.
Meanwhile, Munster coach Kidney has named a completely different XV to the side that edged past Saracens in the Heineken Cup last week.
However, the line-up sees just three changes in personnel from the outfit that accounted for the Ospreys last time out in the Magners League.
The one backline change sees Peter Stringer return at scrum-half where he will partner Paul Warwick.
In the pack there are four changes with two being positional as Donnacha Ryan slots into the second-row alongside Mick O'Driscoll.
The side will be led at number eight by Anthony Foley, who will create history by becoming the first player to win 200 caps for his province.
The teams:
Ulster: 15 Bryn Cunningham 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Trimble, 12 Rob Dewey, 11 Mark Bartholomeusz 10 Paddy Wallace, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Stephen Ferris, 7 Kieran Dawson, 6 Matt McCullough, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 4 Carlo Del Fava, 3 Tom Court, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Bryan Young.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Justin Fitzpatrick, 18 Justin Harrison, 19 Neil Best, 20 Paul Marshall, 21 Niall O'Connor, 22 Mark McCrea.
Munster: 15 Shaun Payne, 14 Brian Carney, 13 Barry Murphy, 12 Kieran Lewis, 11 Anthony Horgan, 10 Paul Warwick, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Anthony Foley (c), 7 Niall Ronan, 6 John O'Sullivan, 5 Mick O'Driscoll, 4 Donncha Ryan, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Frankie Sheahan, 1 Federico Pucciariello.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Daragh Hurley, 18 Mark Melbourne, 19 James Coughlan, 20 Gerry Hurley, 21 Jeremy Manning, 22 Keith Earls.
Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Kick-off: 19:30 BST (18:30 GMT)
Venue: Ravenhill
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Touch judges: Alan Rogan (Ireland), Johan Carvill (Ireland)
Assessor: Brian Stirling (Ireland)