Five changes for Ulster
Fri, 02 May 2008 16:30
Ulster coach Matt Williams has made five changes to the starting line up, as well as one positional switch ahead of the Magners League showdown with Glasgow Warriors at Ravenhill on Saturday.
Justin Fitzpatrick is named at loosehead prop, replacing Bryan Young - who is named on the bench.
In the second row Ravenhill favourite Justin Harrison is named alongside Carlo Del Fava in what could be Harrison's last start for Ulster.
The back row is all change - with Neil Best replacing Kieron Dawson and Roger Wilson named at No.8, Stephen Ferris unavailable due to an injury picked up on Wednesday.
Fullback Bryn Cunningham drops out of the squad after fracturing his cheek bone on Wednesday.
"I am really disappointed for Bryn, he didn't realise the damage or complain about the pain until well after the game ... it just came on him when he cooled down and proved to be a fracture and we are all disappointed for him," Williams said.
Mark Bartholomeusz moves to fullback, with Scottish international Simon Danielli replacing him on the left wing.
The rest of the backline remains the same as the Munster fixture - with Paddy Wallace (No.10) and Isaac Boss (No.9) the halfbacks.
Kieran Campbell is named on the bench, for what could potentially be his last run out for his province before he moves to Magners League rivals Connacht.
Williams warned of the threat pose by Glasgow.
"They are a side who have improved enormously throughout the last season," Williams said.
"They play an open and attractive style of rugby and I know some of the players well so I am looking forward to this fixture. With the week we have had, the game against Glasgow is a huge challenge."
Ulster received a lot of criticism about their line-out against Munster earlier this week and Williams admitted they worked hard at solving the problem.
"We had a technically bad night, nobody is hiding from the criticism, there is no excuse," he said.
"So far this season our line-out has been solid and after Wednesday the only thing the players can do is get back on the pitch and get it right again."
With three games in ten days Williams is remaining upbeat about the gruelling timetable.
"Training has gone well this week, clearly the fixtures and scheduling isn't perfect, but I have had no complaints from the players. They know they just have to get on with it.
"The boys showed real pride on Wednesday, in their defence, and Saturday will be no different - it will be another hard 80 minutes and mentally it is all about the heart and playing for the shirt."
Ulster: 15 Mark Bartholomeusz, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Trimble, 12 Rob Dewey, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Paddy Wallace, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Neil Best, 6 Matt McCullough, 5 Justin Harrison, 4 Carlo Del Fava, 3 Tom Court, 2 Rory Best, 1 Justin Fitzpatrick.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Bryan Young, 18 Ryan Caldwell, 19 Kieran Dawson, 20 Kieran Campbell, 21 Niall O'Connor, 22 Mark McCrea.
Date: Saturday, May 3
Venue: Ravenhill Park, Belfast
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Touch judges: Alan Rogan (Ireland), Johan Carvill (Ireland)
Assessor: Brian Stirling (Ireland)
