European Cup Pool B
Today
Swansea v Ulster, St Helen's (2.0)
Despite the dispiritingly anti-climactic nature of their home defeat to Glasgow, Ulster have named an unchanged side. Keith Gallick thus holds on to his place ahead of Roger Wilson and the Ulster coach Davey Hazlett can only hope that his middle five generally show more instinctive decision-making in the opposition 22. But it will be hard for them to create anything like the same attacking platform they enjoyed last week.
Swansea, runners-up in both the Welsh league and Cup last season, have made one change from the side beaten by Wasps, promoting Wales A scrum-half Rhodri Jones off the bench to take over from Andy Booth. The All Whites have one injury doubt over their international full-back Matthew Back. He injured his knee in the defeat by the Wasps, prior to which Swansea had won their opening two league games against Ebbw Vale (47-11) and Newport (38-14).
In their one previous meeting against Irish opposition in Euro fare, Swansea lost 17-13 to Munster two years ago at Thomond Park. But like all Welsh sides, they're a completely different proposition on home soil, even if their apparent invincibility was shredded last week.
Two years ago they beat Castres at home, and last season accounted for London Irish by 63-38 before drawing with Begles 31-31 at St Helen's. Even in a 31-25 defeat to Wasps last week, Swansea impressed with the individualism of their backs and the Ulster backs will be kept permanently on their toes by Arwel Thomas and Scott Gibbs. Furthermore, Swansea are liable to be stung into a very determined riposte.
Swansea: M Back; R Rees, D Weatherley, S Gibbs, A Harris; A Thomas, R Jones; C Loader, G Jenkins (capt), C Anthony, T Maulin, P Arnold, R Appleyard, P Moriarty, D Thomas.
Ulster: R Morrow; S Coulter, J Topping, M Field, J Cunningham; S Laing, S Bell; R Mackey, S Ritchie, G Leslie, T McWhirter, G Longwell, S McKinty (capt), K Gallick, A Ward.
European Conference
Tomorrow
Nice v Connacht, Stade du Ray
Connacht set off for France yesterday in the heartening position of Pool D leaders after also giving their points difference an early buffer at the expense of Northampton. Thus they are entitled to entertain hopes of qualification for the knock-out stages, however unlikely.
"If we can nick something out of one of these away games, then who knows, with the two return games at home to come we may still have something to play for when visiting Northampton in our last match," said Warren Gatland.
Yet arguably they have a tougher draw than some of their Irish rivals - certainly Ulster - given this is the first of back-to-back ties in France. Furthermore, there is less margin for error, as only the pool winners progress to the quarterfinals.
There seems little between the French rivals, given Nice went down by 25-24 at home to Begles Bordeaux last week. Nice were the French second division champions last season, and have won both their home games this term against Montferrand and reigning European Cup holders Brive (32-31).
Connacht have kept faith with the side that defeated Northampton apart from one enforced change in the back row. Mark Reilly of St Mary's replaces Rory Rogers, who is unavailable due to business commitments.
Good news is the return to fitness of centre Alan Reddan, though he starts from the replacement bench, as will Junior Charlie, if he is declared fit after this morning's training session.
Nice are resting French international flanker Eric Buchet, who picked up an injury in the clash against Begles.
Connacht: W Ruane; N Barry, P Duignan, M Murphy, N Carolan; E Elwood, C McGuinness; J Maher, B Mulcahy, M Finlay, G Heaslip (capt), M McConnell, M Reilly, S McEntee, B Gavin.
European Cup Other Matches
Having used Keith Wood's insider knowledge to combat Munster last week, Harlequins can benefit from more of the same when entertaining Bourgoin at the Stoop today.
The French side will encounter compatriots Thierry Lacroix and Laurent Cabannes, as well as former club-mate Laurent Belligo, a member of the Bourgoin line-up in their successful European Conference final in January.
New Zealander Nigel Geaney, who works in the French wine trade, reverts to fullback from out-half while Harlequins will be led by Wood, who carries a black eye into this contest courtesy of his old mate Mick Galwey.
In Pool B tomorrow, Wasps' Kenny Logan is going home to Glasgow to face the club he played with in last season's European Conference. The English champions, led by Lions star Lawrence Dallaglio, will be looking for a second successive away win to leave them set fair for the quarter-finals.
In Pool C, Brive seek to preserve their nine-match, unbeaten European Cup record and maintain their average of more than 30 points at home, when entertaining Pontypridd tomorrow. The Welsh champions are worried they might lose the services of Wales scrum-half Paul John because of a leg infection. He spent two days in hospital following the home defeat by Bath, but could still be fit for the battle with the reigning champions.
England centre Jeremy Guscott is, meanwhile, pencilled in to play his first match for Bath since breaking an arm on Lions duty in South Africa in June, when the English side play Scottish Borders tomorrow.
In Pool A, Toulouse are once again on their travels, this time to Milan today, while in pool E Caledonia name an unchanged team for the game against Treviso. They are still waiting for Mark McKenzie to recover from a hamstring injury.
Julian Gardner, capped in the back row by both Australia and Italy, comes in at second row in place of Wilhelmus Visseri in the only change in the Treviso team from the side which lost 19-18 at home to Pau last weekend. Visseri has a leg injury.
The most uncompromising fixture of the weekend, could be the meeting of Pau and Llanelli, the two clubs involved in unsavoury scenes last season. The Welsh club won 31-15, but only after Pau fowards Nicholas Bacque and Frederic Torossian and home flanker Iwan Jones had been sent off. Llanelli coach Gareth Jenkins has called for common sense to prevail. "I hope last season's meeting is now a thing of the past," he said.
