Ulster confident Bath tie will go ahead

ULSTER Rugby chiefs are confident Saturday’s Heineken Cup tie with Bath at Ravenhill will go ahead as planned.

Yesterday ground and office staff at the team’s headquarters were joined by Academy players and supporters to clear away snow from the plastic sheeting that covered the pitch. Officials are planning to bring in a giant tented tarpaulin from England today to cover the field and position heaters underneath to thaw out a frozen strip of grass in front of the new stand.

In case Ulster lose the battle against the elements, they have chosen Donnybrook as their alternative venue.

The Dublin ground is also undergoing work to be ready in time.

Under ERC tournament regulations, there are substantial financial penalties (€50,000 approx) should a club be unable to host a match. Last season, Ulster’s game with Stade Francais in Paris had to be moved to Brussels which caused complications for team and supporters alike.

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has named a 29-man squad for the first of their back-to-back games. The only doubt is over centre Darren Cave who had a recurrence of a hamstring injury in training. If he fails to come through, Ian Whitten, or Nevin Spence will fill the midfield alongside a fit-again Paddy Wallace.

ULSTER: (Forwards): T Court, D Fitzpatrick, P McAllister, B Young, BJ Botha, N Brady, A Kyriacou, T Barker, D Tuohy, N McComb, R Caldwell, J Muller (capt), C Henry, W Faloon, P Wannenburg, S Ferris, R Diack.

(Backs): A D’Arcy, A Trimble, S Danielli, D McIlwaine, D Cave, I Whitten, P Wallace, J Smith, N Spence, I Humphreys, N O’Connor, R Pienaar, P Marshall.