Ulster seek a Ravenhill Pro 12 semi-final

With two weeks of a break Ulster have had time to think over the permutations and consequences of their final league match. Thankfully for the faithful it is at home and with a semi-final place already booked the idea tonight is to secure a Belfast play-off

Given all the final round of games that matter for the top four places have been scheduled for the same time, Ulster will follow what happens in Connacht where Glasgow play but won't know anything before their game begins. The Scottish side are within four points of Ulster and one point off second-placed Leinster with a chance of claiming one of the top two places.

Five changes
Ulster go into the match with five changes and one positional switch to the team that defeated Connacht at the Sportsground two weeks ago

Importantly, tighthead John Afoa and locks Johann Muller and Iain Henderson return to the side, although they all came on against Connacht from the bench, while Callum Black is preferred to Tom Court in the frontrow.

Robbie Diack and Chris Henry both make their 100th appearance for the club and will start alongside each other in the backrow.

Paul Marshall starts at scrumhalf, with Ruan Pienaar moving to outhalf, which leaves Paddy Jackson on the replacements. In-form Stuart Olding, who has scored two tries in his past two games, retains his place at inside centre, with Darren Cave partnering him at outside centre.

British and Irish Lions winger Tommy Bowe is on the left wing, with Andrew Trimble, who has scored 10 tries so far this season, on the other side.

Nigel Brady is named among the substitutes in what is likely to be his last game for the club at Ravenhill.

The 33-year-old has represented Ulster for 12 years and has made 118 appearances. He was part of the squad that won the Celtic League in 2006, and won his 100th cap in the 41-7 win over Leicester in the Heineken Cup last season.

Knockout match
Ulster require three more match points to finish top of the table and play their knockout match in Ravenhill.

Ulster have won their last three Pro12 matches but probably more important is the home side has lost just once at Ravenhill in the competition all season: 12-16 to Ospreys in February.

Cardiff, who include Wales right wing Alex Cuthbert, recently named on the British and Irish Lions squad, have earned just six points from their last six league games.
ULSTER : J Payne, A Trimble, D Cave, S Olding, T Bowe, R Pienaar, P Marshall; C Black, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller, I Henderson, R Diack, C Henry, N Williams. Replacements : N Brady, T Court, D Fitzpatrick, D Tuohy, S Doyle, P Jackson, M Allen, P Nelson.
CARDIFF : D Fish; A Cuthburt, G Evans, D Hewitt, H Robinson; R Pratchell, L Jones; T Filise, K Dacey, S Andrews, B Davies, L Reed, L Hamilton, J Navidi, M Paterson. Replacements : M Breeze, T Davies, C Ma'afu, F Paulo, M Cook, L Davies, C Sweeney, T James.
Referee : N Paterson (SRU).
Verdict : Ulster to win.