Injury rules Dempsey out of crunch Celtic match

IRISH full-back Girvan Dempsey is out of the Leinster side for their Celtic League match with Ulster at Donnybrook on Friday.

Dempsey has a hamstring strain and is replaced at number 15 by Gordon Darcy. Otherwise there are no serious changes in a Leinster side expected to test the current League leaders.

Apart from Dempsey's withdrawal, Aidan McCullen comes back into the side for the injured Eric Miller.

Ireland lock Gary Longwell is still out in the cold as Ulster coach Alan Solomons remains loyal to the Celtic Cup-winning side for the crunch Celtic League tie.

Solomons keeps faith with Kiwi Matt Mustchin, while Paddy Wallace again relegates the unfortunate Bryn Cunningham to a bench role.

Following Ulster's 27-21 success over Edinburgh at Murrayfield, Solomons has little option but to opt for the same starting line-up.

The bench also remains unchanged despite the return of fit-again Ryan Constable after a shoulder problem.

Solomons caused a big shock when he called-up Mustchin to replace the out-of-sorts Longwell for the Edinburgh final. There were also raised eyebrows when Ireland squad member Wallace ousted Cunningham who had been Ulster's most consistent player over the past two seasons.

However, both players have been rewarded for their efforts during that nervous finale at Murrayfield.

Solomons, however, is worried about his side's lack of preparation as the league pace-setters face their provincial rivals.

"We have not been on a rugby pitch since the Cup final," said Solomons.

"That's over a fortnight without any real work. I gave the boys time off at Christmas, but because of the weather we played basketball one day, and then a session of weights.

"Hopefully we can get some time on the rugby field either on Wednesday or Thursday. It's certainly no way to prepare for such a big game.

"As far as the team is concerned it was a fairly easy decision. The side did so well in Edinburgh, and everyone deserves to keep their place."

Scotland coach Matt Williams has named 10 uncapped players in his latest training squad for the Six Nations.

Simon Cross, Chris Cusiter, Ross Ford, Allister Hogg, Alastair Kellock, Gareth Morton, Euan Murray, Dan Park, Tom Philip and Alistair Warnock have all survived the cut.

It means Williams has selected 15 players who were not at the World Cup in his pool of 34.

Leeds stand-off Gordon Ross has been left out due to club commitments. While Ross will return to the set-up, Williams has not chosen Marcus Di Rollo, Phil Godman, Dougie Hall, Gavin Kerr, Sean Lamont, Derrick Lee, Stuart Moffat, Graeme Morrison and Sam Pinder from the squad he announced on December 15.

But Williams insisted that his pick remains flexible. and that many will still get their chance.

"This squad could very well change in the future," said Williams.

"A fair group of these players will remain but we will bring in a number of players for each camp.

"We will change things around and certain players on the fringe."

Williams has a long-term plan to have all his internationals playing club rugby in Scotland and that was reflected in his selection with just eight players plying their trade elsewhere.

ULSTER v Leinster: P Wallace; J Topping; S Stewart, P Steinmetz, T Howe; D Humphreys, N Doak; R Kempson, M Sexton, S Best, R Frost, M Mustchin, A Ward (capt), N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: P Shields, R Moore, M McCullough, W Brosnihan, K Campbell, A Larkin, B Cunningham.

LEINSTER v Ulster: G. Darcy; J. McWeeney; B. O'Driscoll; S. Horgan; B. Burke; C. Warner; B. O'Meara; R. Corrigan; S. Byrne; P. Coyle; M. O'Kelly; B. Gissing; A. McCullen; V. Costello; K. Gleeson.