Ulster 26 Rotherham 14: Ulster completed their final preparations for the opening of their defence of the Celtic League title against Llanelli next Saturday with an unconvincing victory at Ravenhill last night.

With Mark McCall fielding a young side and giving home debuts to former Wallaby Mark Bartholomeusz, former Ireland flanker Kieron Dawson and Ireland A prop Tom Court, Ulster made heavy work of the contest against the English National Division One side.

Ulster had to endure periods of sustained defence during the first half. But McCall's side always looked more dangerous with ball in hand and accumulated a comfortable lead at the break via tries by Neil McMillan, Andrew Maxwell and Paddy Wallace, with David Humphreys slotting two conversions. Rotherham's sole reward for their first-half efforts was an intercept try by Jon Feely, converted by Mike Whitehead. But a spirited second-half display by the visitors frustrated Ulster.

Ulster withdrew Humphreys at the interval with Wallace switching to outhalf and Kevin Maggs slotting into centre but the home side left the door open after failing to convert a number of golden opportunities.

And when Rotherham number eight Barry Jacobsz went over for his side's second converted try after charging down Paul Steinmetz's clearance kick, the game opened up, with Rotherham dominating possession.

Although the game finished with Maxwell landing his second try, this was not the performance McCall would have wanted.

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4 mins: N McMillan try, D Humphreys con, 7-0; 11: J Feely try, M Whitehead try, 7-7; 12: A Maxwell try, 12-7; 40: P Wallace try, Humphreys con, 19-7; 52: B Jacobsz try, Whitehead con, 19-14; 80: Maxwell try, P Steinmetz con, 26-14.

ULSTER: B Cunningham, M Bartholomeusz, P Wallace, P Steinmetz, A Maxwell; D Humphreys, K Campbell; J Fitzpatrick, P Shields, T Court, J Harrison, T Barker, K Dawson, N McMillan, S Ferris (78). Replacements: D Fitzpatrick for Court (25-70 mins), K Maggs for Humphreys (40 mins), S Young for Cunningham (54 mins), L Stevenson for Harrison (60 mins), S Philpott for Shields (70 mins), P Marshall for Campbell (74 mins).

ROTHERHAM EARTH TITANS: B Burke; J Feely, B Tuohy, B Hennessey, S Smith; M Whitehead, J Bedford; J Carey, N Hanna, A Hopcroft, J Bornman, E Lund, H Fourie, N Cochrane, B Jacobsz. Replacements: G Steenson for Feely (45 mins), M McComish for Jacobsz (58 mins), H Head for Bornman (64 mins), N Conroy for Hanna 68 mins), J Buchanan for Hennessey (78 mins).

Referee: P Fitzgibbon (IRFU).