MAGNERS LEAGUE:PADDY WALLACE and Andrew Trimble took an active part in Ireland training at Carton House this week before switching over to Ulster duty tonight. It hardly makes for ideal preparation but these two are more than aware of the need to maintain their impressive club form if they are to make the Irish 22 for the visit of Wales to Croke Park tomorrow week.
Both are striving to be included on the Irish replacements bench.
Tom Court is another still scratching his head at exclusion from the Irish squad for Twickenham, although Tony Buckley did a decent job when he replaced John Hayes. Court could do with another destructive scrummaging session even if Springbok BJ Botha is operating at tighthead prop.
With Rory Best back in situ for Ireland, Chris Henry retains the captaincy.
Ulster are five points behind Munster, who are in the fourth Magners League play-off spot, so a result in Llanelli would do wonders for the only goal left in their season.
Sitting second from bottom and six points adrift of Cardiff, the Scarlets desperately need their first win since beating the Dragons on New Year’s Eve, as coach Nigel Davies admitted: “Of course we are under no allusions what a hugely important game this one is, we are not hiding from it. We have just got to win this game.
“We were frustrated with the result out in Leinster – not in the manner of our performance which was positive, but that we let a game slip through our hands.”
The Welsh management released fringe players like hooker Ken Owens, with Lions number two Matthew Rees back on the bench, and Jon Davies must be keen to make an impression opposite the slighter Wallace.
Home field advantage should edge it but Ulster are on a roll.
SCARLETS:D Newton; J Ajuwa, R King, J Davies, A Fenby; R Priestland, T Knoyle; I Thomas, K Owens, D Manu; L Reed, D Day; J Turnbull, R Pugh, D Lyons (capt). Replacements: P John, M Rees, R McCusker, J Edwards, M Roberts, D Evans, G Maule.
ULSTER:J Smith; T Nagusa, D Cave, P Wallace, A Trimble; I Humphreys, I Boss; T Court, N Brady, B Botha; E ODonoghue, R Caldwell; D Tuohy, D Pollock, C Henry (capt). Replacements: A Kyriacou, B Young, R Diack, W Faloon, P Marshall, N OConnor, S Danielli.
Referee:P Allan (SRU).
Top try scorers– Scarlets: J Davies 3. Ulster: Simon Danielli 5.
Top points scorers– Scarlets – R Priestland 65. Ulster: I Humphreys 95.
Verdict:Ulster to win.
Venue: Parc y Scarlets
Kick-Off:7.05, tonight
On TV:Setanta Ireland
