Williams keeps faith with Bourgoin conquerors

ULSTER caretaker boss Steve Williams has given a vote of confidence to the 22 that gained the team’s first home victory since September in defeating Bourgoin last Friday for the final Heineken Cup clash against Pool 2 favourites Gloucester at Kingsholm.

Williams, though, boosts his squad with the inclusion of former All Black Paul Steinmetz, saying already the squad is showing a renewed air of confidence after the 25-24 success over the Frenchmen, their first victory in Europe this season.

Williams, however, may not make any changes to the starting line-up with the ever-consistent Bryn Cunningham retaining his number 15 jersey. However, Steinmetz could come in for Paddy Wallace in midfield to renew his relationship with Andrew Trimble. Meanwhile, Gloucester confirmed Alex Brown fractured the radius in his left arm during their 32-15 Heineken Cup defeat to the Ospreys on Saturday. Brown has already undergone surgery to have a plate inserted. Gloucester expect the lock to be fit within six to eight weeks. World Cup-winning winger Ben Cohen has backed himself to make a successful return to the England squad after being snubbed for this year’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.