INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP - Ulster v Muster: The interprovincial title has already been decided, and in the greater scheme of things the primary purpose of tonight's exercise in Ravenhill is to afford Munster invaluable preparation for the forthcoming Heineken Cup final. Yet to the vast majority of a huge crowd and the Ulster team, those considerations will be side issues compared to the business of putting one over Munster. As it happens, Ulster's desire helps serve Munster's need.
Aside from being the best drawcard, Munster are also the most prized scalp and Ulster will be eager to beat the 2002 finalists, thereby reminding everyone that they were the first Irish province to conquer Europe, in 1999.
Then, Ulster benefited from the European Cup being run-off by January, whereas Munster haven't been helped by the lengthy interruptions to the cup's knockout stages over the past three seasons.
At least this time Munster can fill in a four-week gap between their semi-final win over Castres and the May 25th showdown against Leicester with a competitive game.
That they will receive. Even in the moments after their Celtic League semi-final defeat to Munster last December at Lansdowne Road, Alan Solomons and Andy Ward were both mentioning the forthcoming interpro with Declan Kidney's team.
Munster have won just once in the last two decades at Ravenhill, and the emotions will be pitched even higher by it being a farewell game for the hugely popular Paddy Johns.
"I'm hoping that we get a huge crowd and that we give Munster as good a game as we can, as part of their preparation for the European Cup final," said Solomons. "We're all rooting for them in the final.
"My attitude to this game is that it's a competitive game, we have tremendous respect for Munster and it's important that we perform well, particularly bearing in mind that it's Paddy's last game."
Even missing a host of first-team regulars such as David Humphreys, Ulster have some real dangermen, chief amongst them being Ryan Constable, their leading try scorer with six from just three starts and a handful of replacement appearances.
Munster, though, are much nearer full strength - even without Jim Williams and Anthony Foley - and if at their best should preserve their four-year unbeaten record in the interpros, stretching over 17 games.
It wouldn't do them any harm if they sharpened their attacking edge after just three tries from their last four games. Nevertheless, they wouldn't be human if they didn't have one eye on Cardiff.
"Our focus now is on the game against Ulster," maintains Kidney. "It's going to be a tough game. These matches always are. We don't have a great record in Ravenhill. It's their last game and players will be anxious to impress with a view to next season."
ULSTER: B Cunningham, S Coulter, R Constable, S McDowell, T Howe, P Wallace, N Doak, J Fitzpatrick, M Sexton, S Best, P Johns, G Longwell, W Brosnihan, R Nelson, A Ward (Captain). Replacements: N Brady, B Young, A Kearney, A Hughes, K Campbell, J Cunningham, J Topping.
MUNSTER: D Crotty; J Kelly, R Henderson, J Holland, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; P Clohessy, F Sheahan, J Hayes, M Galwey (capt), P O'Connell, D O'Callaghan, A Quinlan, D Wallace. Replacements: M Horan, J Fogarty, M O'Driscoll, C McMahon, M Prendergast, M Mullins, J Staunton.
Referee: Alan Lewis (IRFU).
Five-game formguide: Ulster - W L L W W. Munster - W L W D W. Last three seasons: (2001-2) Celtic League semi-final, Lansdowne Road: Munster 15 Ulster 9. (2000-01) Ulster 16 Munster 21; Munster 29 Ulster 21. (1999-2000) Ulster 24 Munster 25; Munster 36 Ulster 19. Odds (Paddy Powers): 5/4 Ulster, 18/1 Draw, 4/7 Munster. Handicap odds (= Ulster +5pts) 10/11 Ulster, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Munster.
