Glasgow Warriors v Ulster: Ulster will now refocus their settings for the season. While technically they are not out of the Heineken European Cup, in their heads they know they have probably blown qualification from their pool.
Defending the Magners Celtic League title they won last season is now the principal part of their mission statement for 2007.
Mark McCall has named Paddy Wallace at outhalf in place of the injured David Humphreys, which should come as some relief to the talented number 10, who is seen by Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan as a possible back-up for Ronan O'Gara but gets precious little time playing in the position.
Paul McKenzie has also been drafted in on the left wing to make just his fourth Ulster appearance and as a result of that shift, Ireland left wing Andrew Trimble switches to the centre in place of Paul Steinmetz, who is named on the bench.
The only other change to the replacement panel is the inclusion of Adam Larkin as outhalf cover for Wallace.
It will also be of some value to see how Trimble performs in the 13 shirt, a position some people think he is more suited to than out on the wing. The robust strike runner doesn't shy away from becoming involved in rucks and mauls, and his physical development over the last 18 months, as well as watching how Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy play around the midfield, is bound have rubbed off.
Glasgow will go into the match with some confidence after a run of wins against their Scottish opponents Edinburgh and Border Reivers, but they also welcome back Scotland backrow Johnnie Beattie.
The 21-year-old number eight has not featured in the side since suffering ankle-ligament damage during his second full cap appearance for the national team in the autumn Test win over the Pacific Islanders in November.
Fergus Thomson is restored to hooker in place of Scott Lawson, while Colin Gregor returns to fullback after a try-scoring substitute appearance in the win against Reivers last weekend. Rory Lamont switches to the wing, while Hefin O'Hare moves to centre.
For Ulster, it is a chance to start the year with a win having ended last year in defeat to Leinster in the "Last Stand" at Lansdowne Road in front of a record crowd.
They travel to Hughenden as the table leaders but are now only three points clear of Leinster and will probably need to record a fourth successive win over the Warriors if they want to be sure of holding on to top spot.
Glasgow, meanwhile, come into this game on the back of impressive wins over Edinburgh and Borders.
GLASGOW: C Gregor; R Lamont, H O'Hare, A Henderson, T Evans; D Parks, G Beveridge; J Va'a, F Thompson, E Murray; D Turner, A Kellock (capt); A Wilson, J Barclay, J Beattie. Replacements: E Milligan, K Tkachuk, A Newman, J Eddie, S Swindall, S Pinder, S Barrow.
ULSTER: M Bartholomeusz; T Bowe, A Trimble, K Maggs, P McKenzie; P Wallace, 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, N McMillan, K Campbell, A Larkin, P Steinmetz. Venue: Hughenden
Referee: James Jones (Wales).
Verdict: Ulster to win.
