Ulster clash major challenge for Munster

ULSTER may have slipped down the Celtic League table after losing the last three games, but they’ll still go all-out to protect an enviable home record against Munster at Ravenhill this afternoon (5.15pm).

Munster haven't won at Ravenhill since a 21-16 victory in the Interprovincial Championship in September 2000, and before that, wins in Belfast were few and far between.

This is a major challenge for Munster, whose side blends first and second choice players, but coach Alan Gaffney views it as a positive opportunity.

"It gives a number of our fringe players a chance to press for places when the Heineken Cup resumes next month and gives some of the established players not involved in the national squad more game time, people like Alan Quinlan and David Wallace particularly."

Munster are blessed with top-quality back-row forwards and Gaffney has the luxury of resting Jim Williams this weekend.

In total, Munster show 11 changes from the side that started against the Ospreys last weekend, the survivors being Christian Cullen, Shaun Payne, Donncha O'Callaghan and Wallace.

Ulster's main absentee is playmaker David Humphreys, whose place at out-half goes to Adam Larkin.

Ulster have registered just one victory in their past five matches two weeks ago at home to the Cardiff Blues in the European Cup while Munster have won five in a row in all competitions since losing 17-15 to Leinster at Donnybrook in September.

However, Munster's lack of success in Belfast over the years is sobering, as is the fact that Ulster have won four of the last six meetings between the two teams.

Meanwhile, the Munster Schools head to Belfast as well to take on Ulster in the opening Schools Interprovincial (Campbell College 12 noon).

Champions Munster expect a tough examination, particularly from a big Ulster pack, and will look to the classy back row of Barry O'Mahony, David Sherry and David Gardiner to help boost the effort up front. Insiders say this should be a very good Munster side, even if it lacks the experience available last year.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe; J Bell; P Steinmetz; T Howe; A Larkin; N Doak; S Best; P Shields; R Moore; R Frost; M McCullough; A Ward (Captain); Nl Best; C Feather.

MUNSTER: C Cullen; S Payne; J Storey, J Holland, M Lawlor; P Burke, M

Prendergast; F Roche, J Flannery, G McIlwham; D O'Callaghan, T Hogan; A Quinlan, D. Leamy, D Wallace

MUNSTER SCHOOLS: K. Doyle (CBC), C. Aherne (Crescent), M. O'Driscoll (Rockwell), E. Broderick (St. Munchin's), P. Thompson (Rockwell), R. O'Sullivan (Crescent), S. Cronin (PBC), M. O'Leary (PBC), G. Slattery (St. Munchin's), A. Cotter (St. Munchin's), N. Keogh (St. Munchin's), D. Keogh (CBC), D. Gardiner (St. Munchin's), D. Sherry (Ard Scoil Ris), B. O'Mahony (Crescent, captain).

Replacements: P. Carroll (Crescent), G. Dunne (PBC), P. Rowley (St. Munchins), C. O'Donoghue (CBC), C. Canning (Rockwell), K. Roche (Rockwell), S. O'Dwyer (Rockwell).