Ebbw Vale are no walkover, warns Ulster skipper Ward

ULSTER captain Andy Ward is not taking things for granted as the former European Cup champions open their Celtic League campaign against struggling Ebbw Vale.

Coached by popular former Leinster mentor Mike Ruddock, the Welsh steelmen have struggled for years to move into the big time, but without much luck.

Before the season got underway, major financial problems forced them to offload several of their first-team regulars and their best player, Wales prop Iestyn Thomas, has moved to Llanelli. But, says Ward, that will make them even more eager to do well.

“It will be a hard old game, make no mistake about it,” says Ward, looking mean and very lean in his second season in charge.

“Going to Ebbw Vale will not be easy by any means. Look what happened last season, it took a real second-half fight before we won 29-27.

“’Last week we got a fairly good result with the draw against Glasgow, but in reality it made us very aware not to be complacent. It showed we still have a lot of work to do.”

Coach Alan Solomons was also warning his side: “I expect a very tough game, and we are preparing for that. They may be struggling, but that often brings out the best in a side.

“We will have to work hard for victory, just as we did last season.”

Ulster were 20-3 at half-time last August before five penalties by Paddy Wallace brought them back into the game. Wallace collected 19 points then playing at fly-half, a position occupied by David Humphreys this time. But Humphreys, like all the rest of Ireland’s squad, will miss the next four Celtic League games.

Ruddock is in no doubt his men are in for a major challenge: “At least they paid of the compliment of playing their strongest side.”

And he has yet to decide on his starting line-up: “The boys will enjoy playing against some of the big names they are set to face.

“I know lots of the names from both my time in Ireland and with Ebbw Vale, with them including David Humphreys, they will be even stronger than last season.”

ULSTER: P Wallace; S Coulter; R Constable, J Bell, T Howe; D Humphreys, N Doak; R Kempson, M Sexton, S Best, G Longwell, J Davidson, A Ward, capt, W Brosnihan, T McWhirter.

Replacements: J Fitzpatrick, P Shields, N McMillan, M Blair, K Campbell, A Larkin, B Cunningham.

EBBW VALE: R Davies, N Wakely, M Ridley, P Matthews, M Rowlands/R Shorney/A Takarangi, S Mitchell, B Shelbourne, D Evans, J Evans, A Black, N Edwards, O Booyse, K Tuipulotu, W Thomas, T Morris.