RUGBY/Celtic League:So continues Ulster's promotion of youth, with the former Bangor Grammar and Ireland under-21 Paul McKenzie coming onto the left wing as Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble struggle with injury.
McKenzie, who came through the Ulster Academy system and was awarded a development contract at the start of the season, has represented Ulster and Ireland at all underage levels as well as playing with the Irish schools cricket team.
He comes into the side not knowing just yet who will be his opposite number as Leinster coach Michael Cheika has left four names - Shane Horgan, Denis Hickie, Luke Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney - to fill the three positions at wing and fullback.
Because of injury worries other positions have also been left temporarily vacant. While captain Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy line out as the trusted centre pairing, Chris Whitaker comes in for the injured Felipe Contepomi at out-half and will partner either Christian Warner or Andrew Dunne at halfback.
Fitzgerald did complain of a sore shoulder after the game against the Pacific Islands and that could be an issue; or perhaps Cheika is trying to figure who is going to be his place kicker, Kearney or Dunne.
In the pack, the one-time Ulster and Connacht player Ronan McCormack will scrum down alongside hooker Brian Blaney and Fosi Pala'amo.
Trevor Hogan lines up alongside Malcolm O'Kelly in the second row, while one of Stephen Keogh, Cameron Jowitt and Owen Finegan will start at blindside flanker in a back row with Keith Gleeson and number eight Jamie Heaslip.
Ulster have an altogether more settled look about them and, McKenzie aside, the familiar names are included.
Following his outhalf cameo role last week in Lansdowne Road against the Pacific Islands, Paddy Wallace reverts to his usual inside-centre position with Paul Steinmetz outside him.
Wallace is joined in the Ulster starting line-up by fellow autumn internationals scrumhalf Isaac Boss, loosehead prop Bryan Young, hooker Rory Best, tighthead prop Simon Best and flanker Neil Best.
Captain Simon Best leads the side for the first time since he suffered a broken leg against Llanelli near the end of the 2005-2006 season, while Stephen Ferris takes his place on the bench, with Kieron Dawson starting at open side flanker.
Last season Leinster won both home and away fixtures against Ulster. But Ulster, the current champions and league leaders, are at the top of their form, riding high on the success of their representation on the Irish team during the November internationals, and their progress suggests they have every chance of frustrating the visitors.
Ulster have won three matches in a row since losing 13-21 to Munster in September and have typically given the impression that Ravenhill Road continues to be impregnable. They have won all 10 matches played there in the league in 2006.
While Michael Cheika's side have won four of their last five league games, they have won just once on the road this season, when Connacht were taken 31-16 back in September.
Interestingly, however, Leinster have won their last six matches against other Irish provinces, illustrating the different dynamic that applies when the provincial sides play each other, and that's what Ulster may fear this evening.
They have a very poor record against the Dublin team, winning just one of the last eight games played since September 2000.
Celtic League Ulster v Leinster Ravenhill Road 7.30 On TV: Setanta
ULSTER: B Cunningham; M Bartholomeusz, P Steinmetz, P Wallace, P McKenzie; D Humphreys, I Boss; B Young, R Best, S Best (capt); J Harrison, M McCullough; N Best, K Dawson, R Wilson. Replacements: P Shields, J Fitzpatrick, T Barker, S Ferris, K Campbell, K Maggs, S Young.
LEINSTER: D Hickie; S Horgan, L Fitzgerald/ R Kearney, B O'Driscoll (capt), G D'Arcy; C Warner/A Dunne; C Whitaker; R McCormack, B Blaney, F Pala'amo; T Hogan, M O'Kelly; S Keogh/C Jowitt/O Finegan, K Gleeson, J Heaslip. Replacements: TBC.
Referee: Olan Trevor (IRFU).
Recent meetings:(2004-05) Ulster 15, Leinster 26; Leinster 9, Ulster 8; (2005-06) Leinster 30, Ulster 23; Ulster 19, Leinster 24
Top try scorers:(Leinster) Denis Hickie 4, (Ulster) Bryn Cunningham and Paul Steinmetz 4.
Top points scorer:(Ulster) D Humphreys 105, (Leinster) F Contepomi 80.
Verdict:Ulster win.
O'Gara signs four-year contract
Munster outhalf Ronan O'Gara has signed a new four-year contract with Munster and Ireland rugby. It means he will continue to play in Ireland until the end of season 2010-2011, the same period as recently agreed by Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll.
"I am delighted to commit to Munster and Ireland for the next four years as I feel there is a special bond between this group of players," said O'Gara. "The support and loyalty of the Munster supporters was obviously a big factor in reaching my decision."
