Ulster v Llanelli: Tyrone Howe was named in the Ulster team, but it has proved an oversight as none of the 22-man Ireland squad announced yesterday for tomorrow week's opening Six Nations Championship match against France in Paris are permitted to play for their provinces this weekend. Howe's place will be taken by young Ballymena wing Scott Young.
Coach Alan Solomons has lost outhalf David Humphreys as well. The outhalf is in exceptional form these days as evidenced by his being named as Celtic League player of the month for January.
The backline still retains plenty of nous. Adam Larkin and Kieron Campbell performed very well at halfback for the province in previous Celtic League games.
Up front, Paul Shields is preferred to Matt Sexton at hooker with Matt McCullough restored to the second row and Neil Best reclaiming the number seven jersey. Roger Wilson, who was called into the Irish squad this week, is back on provincial duty.
Ulster would dearly love to win a clash that pits top-of-the-table Llanelli against the second-placed Irish province. There is no Simon Easterby in the Welsh side but plenty of quality nevertheless. Llanelli coach Gareth Jenkins said: "It's a big game and Ravenhill is a difficult place to go and get a result. But they are also losing their internationals, so we do have the opportunity to pinch an away game."
Captain Leigh Davies returns following injury to a side that includes Salesi Finau, John Davies, Vernon Cooper, Dave Hodges and Scott Quinnell.
It'll be tough for Ulster, but often in this competition they have stepped up to the plate.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; J Topping, S Stewart, P Steinmetz, S Young; A Larkin, K Campbell; R Kempson, P Shields, R Moore; M McCullough, R Frost; A Ward (capt), R Wilson, N Best. Replacements: M Sexton, S Best, M Mustchin, W Brosnihan, N Doak, P Wallace, A N Other.
LLANELLI: B Davies; T Selley, M Watkins, L Davies (capt), S Finau; G Bowen, M Phillips; P John, A Gravelle, J Davies; V Cooper, C Wyatt; D Hodges, S Quinnell, G Williams. Replacements: D Maddocks, A Yelland, A Jones, G Quinnell, D Burn, G Evans, R Rees.
Referee: A Ireland (Scotland)
Forecast: Ulster to win.
