Williams rings the changes in bid to restore Ulster’s pride

CARETAKER coach Steve Williams has made six changes and one positional switch as Ulster attempt to gain some respectability from a wretched season in tonight’s Heineken Cup clash against the Ospreys at Ravenhill (8pm).

Experienced flanker Kieron Dawson is promoted to open-side in place of young David Pollock, while Ryan Caldwell comes in ahead of Italian Carlo Del Fava at lock and Justin Fitzpatrick misses out on his 50th game in Europe with Bryan Young moving to loose-head and Declan Fitzpatrick coming in at tight.

Behind the scrum, Ireland’s reserve half-backs Paddy Wallace and Isaac Boss are dropped to the bench, with Niall O’Connor and Kieran Campbell promoted. There is also a change in midfield where Rob Dewey partners Andrew Trimble, with Paul Steinmetz omitted from the match 22.

Williams, who will know his future at Ravenhill when Ulster name a new coach before Christmas, had to do something radical following the 48-17 thumping last week in Swansea.

Williams said of the changes: “Kieran Campbell hasn’t had much game time and when he does come on the field he looks so sharp, and this is his chance, while Niall has looked good when he has played and I just feel that this is the time to give him an opportunity at this level to see what he can do.

“As far as Justin is concerned, he has played every game so far this season and trains so hard every day I just felt he deserved a weekend off to recharge his batteries,” explained Williams.”

Meanwhile, Ireland flanker, Neil Best, who has yet to sign a new contract, realises that players will now have to respond, particularly at home.

“The whole scene at present is disappointing,” he said. “To leak so many tries was a bitter pill to swallow. It’s difficult to say what really is wrong because we just cannot become bad players overnight.

“Our season is far from over. We have to prove ourselves and the spectre of playing the Challenge Cup next year is as good a motivation as any. We now must aim on generating some momentum, confidence and belief in our own ability.”

Ospreys, not unexpectedly, have named an unchanged team with their Heineken Cup hopes still very much alive if they can capture the same form as last week.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, R Dewey, S Danielli; N O’Connor, K Campbell; (1-8) B Young, R Best (Capt), D Fitzpatrick, J Harrison, R Caldwell, N Best, K Dawson, M McCullough.

Replacements: T Court, M Miles, C Del Fava, D Pollock, I Boss, P Wallace, M McCrea.

OSPREYS: L Byrne; N Walker, M Taylor, S Parker, S Williams; J Hook, J Marshall; D Jones, H Bennett, A Jones, AW Jones, I Evans, J Thomas, M Holah, F Tiatia (capt).

Replacements: R Hibbard, P James, I Gough, H T-Pole, M Phillips, S Connor, A Bishop.

Referee: Malcolm Changleng (Scotland).