Ulster must find a strong start

Llanelli v Ulster: A two-point victory over Leinster (24-22) not withstanding, Llanelli have proved to be notoriously fragile at home, losing three of their last four matches at Stradey Park. Even in that clash with the Irish province, they were extremely fortunate. Leinster outplayed them for long stretches; it was their penchant to self-destruct that ultimately proved their undoing that night.

Ulster have secured back-to-back wins over Borders and Cardiff Blues and have amassed 12 league points from their four away trips this season while managing just five from as many games at Ravenhill.

The game will recall the final match of last season's campaign when, at the same venue, the Scarlets won 23-16, guaranteeing them the Celtic League title.

Mark McCall's men have arrested an alarming slide with a couple of good wins, but this match will be a truer test of the progress they have made. The return of Tommy Bowe after his try-scoring debut for Ireland gives Ulster great potency out wide, with Bowe working in tandem with Andrew Maxwell. It'll be instructive to note how they cope with the direct running of Llanelli's Polynesian duo.

Llanelli have included a couple of stalwarts on the bench in second row Vernon Cooper and former Welsh international and Lion Mark Taylor.

For Ulster, Matt McCullough's athletic presence in the backrow offers them a little more bulk, while Roger Wilson is among the replacements following injury.

If the Irish province can make some sort of impression up front in the early stages then they could dishearten a Llanelli team whose confidence has taken a buffeting this season.

LLANELLI: B Davies; G Evans, T Selley, S Finau, A Havili; G Bowen, M Phillips; P John, A Gravelle, J Davies; A Jones, C Wyatt; J Mills, D Hodges, G Thomas. Replacements: AN Other, M Rees, V Cooper, AN Other, C McDonald. A Thomas, M Taylor.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, J Bell, P Steinmetz, A Maxwell; A Larkin, K Campbell; R McCormack, P Shields, R Moore; G Longwell, R Frost; M McCullough, C Feather (capt), N Best. Replacements: N Brady, B Young, R Wilson, G Pfister, N Doak, S Young, T Howe.

Referee: Mike Hall (SRU).

Head-to-head - February 2004 (CL) at Ravenhill: Ulster 10 Llanelli Scarlets 9; May 2004 (CL) at Stradey Park: Llanelli Scarlets 23 Ulster 16.

Leading points scorers: Llanelli - Gareth Bowen 48. Ulster - David Humphreys 39.

Leading try scorers: Llanelli - Barry Davies, Garan Evans 3 each. Ulster - Bryn Cunningham 3.

Verdict: Llanelli.