ERIC ELWOOD is back to lead the Connacht challenge for a place in the Celtic Cup final at the Sportsground, Galway, tomorrow (2.p.m.), but there is no place for captain Tim Allnutt.

Former All Black Paul Steinmetz and Ireland World Cup late replacement Tyrone Howe have been included in Ulster's side for the Celtic Cup semi-final with Glasgow in Hughenden on Friday night (7.30pm).

Connacht 31 Ulster 20

Ulster left wing Scott Young has been promoted to a starting place in the Ulster line-up for their crucial meeting with Connacht in the Celtic League at The Sportsground on Saturday (K/O 2.30pm).

The inclusion of hooker Matt Sexton at the expense of Paul Shields is the only change coach Alan Solomons has made to Ulster's starting line-up for the visit of Cardiff to Ravenhill on Friday.

Second-placed Ulster will travel to Edinburgh, recent leaders of the Celtic League, for what is sure to be a searching test of their desire for success at Meadowbank on Friday (7.35pm).

Ulster 26 Celtic Warriors 20

Coach Alan Solomons has named an unchanged Ulster side for the visit of the Celtic Warriors to Ravenhill on Friday evening.

AFTER years of winning matches almost as they liked, it has suddenly become something of a struggle for the Munster team.

Ulster will introduce Seamus Mallon to the centre and Rod Moore, back from Australia, to their front row for their game against Munster in the Celtic League at Musgrave Park on Friday.

Ulster 23 Leinster 23 (After extra-time, Ulster win on tries scored 3-2)

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney expects to finalise his side for the Celtic Cup game against Glasgow in Hughenden after training in Limerick tomorrow.

LEO CULLEN may have missed out on the World Cup but Leinster coach Gary Ella is delighted to have him back as Leinster captain for the visit of Edinburgh to Donnybrook this evening.

Ulster 33 Glasgow 6

IAIN BALSHAW will make his long-awaited Test match return on Saturday – and is determined to make up for lost time.

Ulster33 Orrell 3

NEW Leinster coach Gary Ella told his first press conference that the world cup offered an opportunity for young players to force their way into his team.

Dungannon 56 Cork Con 33

Galwgians 39 Dungannon 18

Buccaneers 14 Dungannon 8

Leinster Lions will hold a lunchtime press conference today to announce their side to play Ulster on Friday

By Kenny Archer ULSTER won the battle but lost the war at a jam-packed Ravenhill last night.

SIMON BEST has been retained by coach Alan Solomons as Ulster named an unchanged side to take on Northampton in their crunch Heineken Cup game at Ravenhill on Friday night (7.05).

RYAN CONSTABLE is back in the Ulster side for Saturday’s win-or-bust Heineken Cup pool 6 tie in Cardiff.

IRELAND lock Gary Longwell is back in business following a tough fitness test yesterday and will line-out for Ulster for their Heineken Cup shoot-out against Biarritz at Ravenhill on Friday night.

Alan Solomons has named his side that will play Connacht this evening at Stevenson Park (6pm).

ANDY WARD is back and raring to go. Ulster’s inspirational skipper returns to action for the friendly fixture with Connacht tomorrow night at Dungannon (6pm kick-off) after being out of action for three months.

Ulster Coach Alan Solomons today named his side for the winner-takes-all encounter with Llanelli at Ravenhill on Friday night.

Leinster’s struggle in the Celtic League means they must win their clash against Newport tonight at Donnybrook.

Alan Solomons has named both David Humphreys and Gary Longwell - who have returned from international duty - in his side to play Caerphilly in the Celtic League on Saturday at Virginia Park.

MUNSTER captain Jim Williams is to return for the crunch Celtic League game against Neath in Wales on Saturday.

REIGNING Celtic League champions Leinster haven’t given up on their title just yet, although coach Matt Williams says they have to win all three remaining games to stand any chance of making the top four in Pool B.

Tonight's Celtic League teams

Alan Solomons has been forced to make a number of changes to his side to play Neath tonight at Ravenhill due to Jonathan Bell's niggling ankle injury and a bout of the flu which has affected both Bell and Robbie Kempson.

SWANSEA coach John Connolly comes to Cork this evening seeking a double over Irish provincial opposition.

Adam Larkin who wore the number 10 jersey for Ulster's two pre-season friendlies will assume the position again, in the absence of David Humphreys and Paddy Wallace against Neath this Friday.

Coach Alan Solomons has made five changes to the Ulster side to meet Swansea in the Celtic League at St Helen's on Saturday afternoon.

Ulster 18, Edinburgh 19

The Ulster second row is coach Alan Solomon's main area of concern before the visit of Edinburgh to Ravenhill on Friday night.

MUNSTER’S three new signings will all play their club rugby in Limerick this year with Eddie Halvey returning to play his club rugby with Shannon, Dominic Malone teaming up with UL Bohemians and Australian prop Simon Kerr joining Garryowen.

Leinster, Ulster and Munster have announced their squads for their upcoming fixtures.

LIONS lock Jeremy Davidson is itching to win back his international jersey.