News round-upThis season's expanded Celtic League may not have caught fire farther south, but in Ulster the pursuit of a Celtic Cup and League double has ensured it continues to burn brightly until the very end. Already 8,000 tickets have been sold for what could be a near-capacity crowd when Ulster host Leinster in their final home match of a momentous season at Ravenhill this Friday.
The match is given added piquancy as it is Alan Solomons's Ravenhill farewell, and it also marks Andy Ward's 100th appearance for the province. Throw in the attractions of the opposition, and Ulster standing within two wins of the title, and it couldn't be set better.
Except, that is, for Solomons's mounting injury concerns. Although the Ulster pack is unchanged, the coach has named a squad of backs from which the starting and replacements players will be picked in the light of centre Paul Steinmetz joining Jonathon Bell and the retired Ryan Constable on the sidelines for the remainder of the season after suffering a fractured ankle in the 19-15 win away to The Borders last Friday.
Furthermore, Tyrone Howe was forced off in that game with a strained ankle and centre Shane Stewart picked up a shoulder injury. Neil Doak and David Humphreys will start at half-back, and Bryn Cunningham at full back, while Kieran Campbell will be the reserve scrumhalf, but beyond that Solomons won't be able to finalise his team until tomorrow. With Robbie Kempson and Matt McCullough long since sidelined for the season, it is of some consolation Matt Mustchin returns to the bench after a seven-week lay-off with a broken arm.
"It's natural you're going to get attrition at this stage of the season," concedes Solomons ahead of Ulster's 30th competitive game of the campaign. "I wouldn't say we're running on empty in the sense that there's nothing left. We've got a bit in the tank and the prize of a trophy gives players adrenalin. We do have problems in the three-quarters but even if all the three guys are ruled out, we'll be able to field a full back line and three replacements."
Ulster's failure to pick up a bonus point in the win over Borders enabled Llanelli to move a point clear of Ulster and the Gwent Dragons to move within a point of them in third place but, with a potential title decider away to the Scarlets on Friday week, essentially the mathematics remain the same.
Win their final two games and they should be champions, with a bonus point along the way removing the possibility of the Dragons pipping Ulster for the title given Ulster's vastly superior points difference.
"We know the remaining two games are going to be extremely tough. Leinster are a superb team. We know they'll be up for it and then we finish with Llanelli in Stradey," he added, laughing. "Well, it's going to be a tough two weeks."
As with Munster and Connacht, who meet at Thomond Park on Friday, Leinster have delayed announcing their team pending fitness checks on Girvan Dempsey (groin) and Brian O'Driscoll (calf) as well as Shane Horgan (ankle), while Gordon D'Arcy has been ruled out for the rest of their campaign.
Connacht have brought forward their final home game of the league against the Celtic Warriors to Friday week at the Sportsground in Galway (kick-off 6.30). The game marks the final match before retirement of the world-record points scorer, Neil Jenkins. Children will be admitted free.
Saturday also sees the first triple header of divisional AIB League finals at Lansdowne Road, with Greystones meeting Ards in the Division Three decider at midday, followed by the Division Two play-off final between Dublin University and UL Bohemians, culminating in the All-Ireland League final between old Munster adversaries Cork Constitution and Shannon at 4.00.
ULSTER: (Backs from) T Bowe, K Campbell, B Cunningham, N Doak, T Howe, D Humphreys, A Larkin, S Mallon, S Stewart, J Topping, S Young, P Wallace; (Forwards) S Best, M Sexton, R Moore, G Longwell , R Frost, A Ward (capt), R Wilson, N Best. Replacements: P Shields, R McCormack, M Mustchin, N McMillan.
