Rugby:Although they remain hopeful Ravenhill will be available when Saturday comes, Ulster have already approached the Leinster Branch to enquire about the possibility switching their Heineken Cup tie against Bath to Donnybrook.
With the country still in the grip of the big freeze - a thaw isn’t forecast until later in the week - more snow fell in Belfast last night. Last Friday night’s Magners League match with the Dragons was postponed due to a frozen pitch and Ulster are desperate to avoid a repeat of that situation this weekend.
The entire office and administrative staff, including current president Nigel Hamilton, spent this morning clearing snow from the pitch and they were aided by around 20 local volunteers. Frost covers have been on the pitch for more than a week but the parts of the ground that have remained under shadow remain frozen solid.
With strict fines imposed by the ERC on clubs who fail to provide a venue, Ulster are considering bringing in heaters to help thaw the pitch. The cost factor in doing so is prohibitive but that seems the most likely course of action at this stage.
Another alternative is to switch the match to Donnybrook but that remains a last resort. Ulster expect 12,000 fans through the turnstiles should the match take place at Ravenhill. Donnybrook can accommodate just 7,000 and while many fans may choose not to travel south, particularly because of the weather conditions, problems may arise with the limited capacity in Dublin 4.
“Under ERC Tournament Regulations, there are substantial financial penalites should a club be unable to host a match,” the club said in a statement. “Clubs are required to investigate alternative venues and to show they have made all possible endeavours to ensure their own surface is playable.
“While Ulster have considered alternative venues, including Donnybrook, moving the game would have major implications for both the club and supporters. Without a doubt, the preference is to make Ravenhill playable.”
Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin, meanwhile, has been able to include Johann Muller in his panel for Saturday’s match. The second row returns for the first time since picking up an injury against Cardiff and will hope to be in the starting XV when it is named on Friday.
Ulster squad:T Court, D Fitzpatrick, P McAllister, B Young, BJ Botha, N Brady, A Kyriacou, T Barker, N McComb, D Tuohy, R Caldwell, J Muller, W Faloon, P Wannenburg, S Ferris, R Diack, C Henry; A D'Arcy, D McIlwaine, J Smith, S Danielli, A Trimble, P Wallace, N Spence, I Whitten, I Humphreys, N O'Connor, P Marshall, R Pienaar.
