Rugby:Isaac Boss is back in the Ulster starting line-up for the second meeting in a week with tomorrow night's return fixture with Cardiff. The scrumhalf missed last weekend's defeat in the Welsh capital but comes in for Paul Marshall at Ravenhill.
Ian Humphrey’s hamstring injury keeps him out of the matchday 22 with Niall O’Connor continuing at outhalf.
Coach Brian McLaughlin has made two changes to his pack, with Declan Fitzpatrick replacing the injured and Ed O’Donoghue coming into the second row ahead of Dan Tuohy.
Ulster, without a win in all competitions since defeating Bath in January, were beaten 19-9 by the Blues last weekend and McLaughlin has demanded more of his players.
“Saturday night is going to be a really big game for us,” he said today. “It is one that we have got to turn up to, get our act together and play in front of our own fans at Ravenhill, to show them exactly what we are capable off.
“In the last two games we have not done ourselves justice; we have had disappointing displays against the Scarlets and Cardiff. We just want to get back to Ravenhill and play the way we can play, and play for our fans.”
The province also confirmed today that Clinton Schifcofske will revert to rugby league for the rest of the season after taking up an offer from the Celtic Crusaders.
The 34-year-old Australian full back, who made two State of Origin appearances earlier in his career before switching to union, joins former Wales international Gareth Thomas at the Super League club.
Cardiff have made four changes for the match in Belfast, with Jamie Roberts replacing Tom Shanklin in the centre while Sam Warburton, Maama Molitika and Deiniol Jones return to the forwards.
“We were not happy with the way we played last week but at the end of the day it was a win so we have to be pleased with that,” director of rugby Dai Young said today. “As I said after the match, the result is a lot more important that the performance at this stage of the season.
“We can play a lot better but we also expect them to be a lot better. If we can get the result it will certainly help our cause.”
Ulster:J Smith; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, S Danielli; N O'Connor I Boss; D Fitzpatrick, R Best, BJ Botha; E O'Donoghue, R Caldwell; S Ferris, D Pollock, C Henry. Replacements:A Kyriacou, B Young, D Tuohy, R Diack, P Marshall, I Whitten, T Nagusa
Cardiff:B Blair; L Halfpenny, C Laulala, J Roberts, T James; C Sweeney, Richie Rees; G Jenkins, T Rhys Thomas, T Filise; D Jones, P Tito; M Molitika, S Warburton, X Rush. Replacements:S Andrews, G Williams, A Pretorius, M Williams, D Allinson, D Flanagan, D Hewitt