Ulster relishing battle with Cardiff after layoff

Ulster bid to hit the ground running against Cardiff tomorrow after a longer than expected layoff.

The international window, and the late postponement of last Friday’s Guinness PRO12 clash with Zebre, means the northern province have been out of action for four weeks. But Ulster assistant coach Allen Clarke insists his side will not be caught cold on their trip to Cardiff Arms Park (5.15pm, Sky Sports).

“It’s been a month since we played, and the boys are professional in the way they go about things and they want to put the last game at Edinburgh behind us. I believe they can, there’s been a real energy about how they’ve prepared and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”