RUGBY/News: Ulster coach Mark McCall has elected to name the same team and replacements that beat Munster in Musgrave Park last weekend for Friday night's eagerly-awaited Heineken European Cup clash with Saracens at Ravenhill (7.30).
There were some fitness concerns, primarily the damaged hand sustained by scrumhalf Kieran Campbell that prompted his early departure against Munster. An X-ray revealed that there was no fracture and while it is still a little swollen the prognosis is that he will be fit to play. It didn't discommode him enough to stop him training yesterday.
Paul Steinmetz, once again selected on the left wing, didn't train on Monday but took a full part in yesterday's session having recovered from a leg injury. Openside flanker Neil McMillan (lower back) and fullback Bryn Cunningham (flu) also reported for duty. McCall admitted: "Everybody turned up for training and were looking good."
Ulster produced a brilliant first-half performance and showed character and attitude in hanging on to beat Munster. They are qualities that will once again need to be in evidence on Friday night for the visit of a Saracens team, coached by former Ireland defensive guru Mike Ford, and likely to include the current Irish hooker Shane Byrne.
Saracens fielded just three first-choice players when being thumped by Wasps in the Powergen Cup at the weekend with a view to resting first choice players for the Ulster match.
Munster will name a travelling squad of 24 players for their clash with the Dragons at Rodney Parade on Saturday. Coach Declan Kidney is unlikely to confirm his starting line-up until Friday. His main worry is the current well being of a triumvirate of players, David Wallace, Shaun Payne and John Kelly.
Wallace picked up a gash in the defeat by Ulster but according to a Munster official, the wound did not require stitches and he took a limited part in yesterday's training. Kelly looked to be suffering no ill-effects from the bang on the head he sustained in training last week as he also took to the pitch, having missed the game at the weekend.
Payne also cried off the Ulster match with flu; he is hopeful that he will be available for selection. The Dragons coach, Paul Turner, faces problems of his own. Gareth Wyatt will be out for two months after dislocating his elbow in a Powergen Cup victory over Worcester Warriors.
It means that the club face something of a right-wing crisis as they are already without Hal Luscombe (broken thumb) and Nathan Brew (groin). It means Turner had to place a phone call through to the Wales Sevens squad in South Africa and request the release of Gareth Chapman. The latter, a member of the Newport club, has never previously played for the Dragons but is on their Heineken Cup roster.
Turner admitted: "It's a massive blow to lose Gareth and with injuries we already have, we are now without a right wing. As well as his try scoring, Gareth's all-round play this season has been excellent. He has been solid in defence and provided a kicking option that often got us out of trouble."
But six foot nine inch second row Luke Charteris could be available for his first game since damaging a calf while playing for Wales during the November Test series. He has made good progress and could be in contention for a place in the match squad. Welsh centre Ceri Sweeney, who missed the win over Worcester, should be available to return.
Leinster are today likely to name an extended squad for their game against Bourgoin at the RDS. The French side will travel without French international backrow Julien Bonnaire, who suffered a triple fracture of his wedding ring finger in his side's French Championship victory over Clermont at the weekend and will be out for six weeks.
Connacht's main concern ahead of their European Challenge Cup match against the Worcester Warriors at Sixways on Saturday is centre-cum-wing Darren Yapp. Coach Michael Bradley will announce a squad at lunch-time today to face the English club that are likely to number former Leinster hooker Gavin Hickie in their ranks.
Meanwhile, London Irish have signed Samoan international, Sailosi Tagicakibau following the departure of former Australian international Scott Staniforth back home because of personal reasons.
Tagicakibau, a pacy 23-year-old, has signed a three-year contract and will arrive at Sunbury in mid-December. He has made nine appearances for Manu Samoa, including playing against England at Twickenham last Saturday, and eight for the Chiefs in Super 12 rugby.
Brian Smith, London Irish's Director of Rugby admitted: "Sailosi is a genuine talent and at 23 has already played three seasons of international rugby."
ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, K Maggs, P Steinmetz; D Humphreys, K Campbell; B Young, R Best, S Best (capt); M McCullough, J Harrison; N Best, N McMillan, R Wilson. Replacements: N Brady, R Moore, R Caldwell, S Ferris, I Boss, A Larkin, J Topping.
Rugby Fixtures
FRIDAY
European Cup: Ulster v Saracens, Ravenhill (7.30); Castres Olympique v Sale Sharks, Stade Pierre-Antoine (8.30, local time).
SATURDAY
European Cup: Dragons v Munster, Rodney Parade (1.0); Calvisano v Cardiff Blues, Centro Sportivo San Michele (2.0, local time); Bath Rugby v Glasgow Rugby, The Recreation Ground (2.15); ASM Clermont Auvergne v Stade Francais, Stade Marcel Michelin (4.0 local time); Edinburgh Rugby v Toulouse, Murrayfield (4.0); Leinster v Bourgoin, RDS (5.15).
European Challenge Cup: Worcester Warriors v Connacht, Sixways Stadium (2.0).
All-Ireland League: Division One (2.30): Belfast Harlequins v Galwegians, Grafton Arena; Blackrock v Buccaneers, Stradbrook; Clontarf v Cork Constitution, Castle Avenue; Carlow v UL Bohemians, Oak Park; Garryowen v Dungannon, Dooradoyle; St Mary's v Lansdowne, Templeville Road; Shannon v Ballymena, Thomond Park.
Division Two (2.30): Bective Rangers v Ballynahinch, Donnybrook; Dolphin v Highfield, Musgrave Park; Midleton v Terenure, Town Park; Old Crescent v Greystones, Rosbrien; Thomond v Old Belvedere, Fitzgerald Park; UCC v Barnhall, Mardyke; Waterpark v DLSP, Ballinakill; Young Munster v Malone, Clifford Park.
Division Three (2.30): Banbridge v Bruff, Rifle Park; Clonakilty v Ards, Shannonvale; Corinthians v Old Wesley, Corinthian Park; Instonians v Connemara, Shaws Bridge; Portadown v Sunday's Well, Chambers Park; Queen's University Belfast v Nenagh Ormond, Upper Malone; Skerries v City of Derry, Holmpatrick; Wanderers v Suttonians, Lansdowne Road (back pitch).
SUNDAY
European Cup: Llanelli Scarlets v London Wasps, Stradey Park (1.0); Leeds Tykes v Perpignan, Headingley Stadium (2.30); Leicester Tigers v Ospreys, Welford Road (3.0); Biarritz Olympique v Benetton Treviso, Parc des Sports Aguilera (4.0, local time).
European Challenge Cup: London Irish v Agen, Majdeski Stadium (3.0).
