Celtic League/Ulster v Munster, Ravenhill 7.35: It doesn't matter what team it is that travels to Ravenhill, they are going to get a torrid time. When Munster go there, then even more so. When Munster go there with half of the first-choice team missing then the torrid time is likely to be exacerbated for a side who are struggling for points.
Missing David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Peter Stringer and Ronan O'Gara, Munster look a little on the light side, especially when Ulster have only Andrew Trimble unavailable for selection. With Tommy Bowe stepping in for him, there is barely a dent in the Ulster personnel. It could be a testy affair, which is why the home province have made it an all-ticket affair, although some terrace tickets are for sale.
The Ulster starting team, however, shows two changes from the side that defeated Edinburgh at Murrayfield mid-February. After a sojourn with the Irish squad, Bowe comes back into the side on the wing in place of James Topping, while Jonny Bell comes in to partner Paul Steinmetz in the centre in the absence of Trimble, who was not released by Ireland. The only other changes are amongst the replacements where Ryan Caldwell is named ahead of Rowan Frost as secondrow cover and Kevin Maggs finally returns from an elbow injury and joins the 22 on the bench.
Undoubtedly this is the match of the weekend and a home win would see Ulster top the Celtic League table for the first time since September. Mark McCall and his players have won their last three matches against Treviso, Llanelli Scarlets and Edinburgh, while Munster's loss to Glasgow at home last month ended a four-match winning run in all competitions. More importantly it pointed to a team that, on the day, were out of sorts and could not achieve the sort of dominance they normally do against sides.
Importantly, though, Ulster have already beaten Munster this season, 20-17 in Cork last December, while Munster won on their last visit to Ravenhill, 24-3 in the Celtic league in November 2004.
Like Leinster did against Newport Dragons last time out, so too did Munster play well below form against Glasgow. It is unlikely the side will dip so much again, but McCall has a strong Ulster line-up with a number of players either former internationals or just on the fringes of the current Irish squad. Players such as Neil Best, Simon Best, Bowe, David Humphreys and former Australian secondrow Justin Harrison.
Paul Burke is set to return for Munster and fill the outhalf position. Long term, however, Munster will be looking for a Burke replacement as he goes back to England to join Leicester next season. It is Burke's first outing with the side since the game against Cardiff at the start of November.
Overall the Munster side shows four changes to the one that started their last Celtic League game. Brian Madigan makes his competitive debut partnering the vastly experienced Mick O'Driscoll in the secondrow, while the team will be captained by Anthony Foley.
Shannon's Donnacha Ryan had been set to come into the Munster pack for the injured Trevor Hogan, but unfortunately for the player, who had earlier been named in the Ireland All-Ireland League side, he sprained an ankle in training and was forced to pull out.
Still there are a number of familiar faces with Shaun Payne in at fullback, Ian Dowling on one flank and Anthony Horgan on the other with Barry Murphy and Trevor Halstead linking in the centre.
Up front, strange to say, but Ulster could have an edge. If they dominate, Munster could be in difficulty. It they don't, they will naturally look to Humphreys to kick them out of trouble, a task he has perfected over the years.
Verdict: Home win.
Leinster openside flanker Keith Gleeson has signed a new two-year deal with the province. Gleeson's re-signing comes fresh after similar contract extensions by Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll and Irish secondrow Malcolm O'Kelly.
Speaking yesterday, Gleeson said that he was delighted to put pen to paper. "I am really pleased to commit my immediate future to Leinster and Ireland. I believe that both Leinster and Ireland are moving in the right direction and I'm proud to be a part of such an excellent group of players," he said.
"There is a lot of excitement around Leinster at the moment with the Toulouse game on the horizon and hopefully my recent form can act as a spring-board to get me back in the Ireland squad."
CELTIC LEAGUE FORMGUIDE: 2004 - March 5th (at Ravenhill): Ulster 36 Munster 13; November 6th (at Ravenhill): Ulster 3 Munster 24. 2005 - March 18th (at Musgrave Park): Munster 21 Ulster 15. December 3rd (at Musgrave Park): Munster 17 Ulster 20.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, J Bell, P Steinmetz, A Maxwell; D Humphreys, I Boss; B Young, R Best, S Best (capt); J Harrison, M McCullough, N Best, S Ferris, R Wilson. Replacements: N Brady, J Fitzpatrick, R Caldwell, N McMillan, K Campbell, A Larkin, K Maggs.
MUNSTER: S Payne; I Dowling, B Murphy, T Halstead, A Horgan; P Burke, T O'Leary; F Roche, D Fogarty, F Pucciariello; B Madigan, M O'Driscoll; S Keogh, J O'Sullivan, A Foley (capt). Replacements: E McGovern, T Buckley, M Melbourne, J O'Connor, M Prendergast, M Lawlor, G Connolly.
Referee: A Rolland (IRFU)
