High-flying Ulster’s feet still firmly on ground

ULSTER may be top of the Celtic League, but coach Alan Solomons is not getting too comfortable just yet.

"It is nice to be top of the Celtic League but we are keeping things in perspective. We are not even one third of the way through the competition, and none of the sides are at full strength yet.

"We are keeping our feet firmly on the ground the tournament is very much still in its ascendancy at this stage. We are happy with where we are, and with the fact that the youngsters have all had plenty of opportunities, but this competition has a long, long way to run," he said.

Ulster take on Cardiff, comprehensive winners over Neath/Swansea last weekend, at Ravenhill on Friday, and Solomons will warn his charges not to treat this home fixture lightly.

"Cardiff are a good side with a proud tradition, and we will have to be at our best to grind out a result."

But the manner of the victory over Edinburgh Rugby last week, including denying the free-scoring Scots a try, did satisfy Solomons. "I was very pleased for the guys it was one of those days when it ended up with most things going for us.

"We gave away too many penalties, and made too many mistakes in the first half, but we were much, much better after the break. We dominated possession and scored some very good tries it was a great result for us."

Solomons' side shows only one change as Matt Sexton and Paul Shields switch places with Sexton starting the match, and Shields on the bench.

Ulster currently top the Celtic League table on 22 points, and will be hoping to keep their winning run of 5 Celtic League matches intact.

Glasgow should have scrum half Sam Pinder back, and with his experience of playing in the Super 12 with Auckland Blues, his return will give the side a major lift.

Meanwhile Leinster coach Gary Ella has named an unchanged team for Friday's Celtic League clash with Glasgow at Hughenden (Kick off: 7:30pm).

The replacements bench has been boosted by the return of Brian O'Riordan from injury, and he takes over from Lansdowne's Shane Whelan.

There are other changes on the bench with Ciaran Potts coming in for James O'Donovan, while back-row Rob Connolly will travel with the squad as cover.

ULSTER v Cardiff: B. Cunningham, J. Topping, R. Constable, S. Stewart, T. Howe, A. Larkin, K. Campbell, B. Young, M. Sexton, R. Moore, M. Mustchin, M. McCullough, a. Ward, T. McWhirter, N. Best. Replacements. P. Shields, R. McCormack, R. Frost, r. Wilson, R. Spee, S. Mallon, S. Young.

LEINSTER v Glasgow: G D'Arcy, J McWeeney, J Downey, D Quinlan, G Brown, M Leek, B O'Meara, E Byrne; G Hickie; P Coyle; A Kearney; B Gissing; N Breslin; S Jennings (Captain), D Dillon