Ulster name side to face Northampton

Ulster coach Alan Solomons today named his side to face Northampton in the crunch Heineken Cup match at Ravenhill this Friday…

Ulster coach Alan Solomons today named his side to face Northampton in the crunch Heineken Cup match at Ravenhill this Friday.

Ulster need to beat Northampton - who top Pool 6 on eight points, two clear of Ulster - but in the process must also score four tries more than their opponents to ensure qualification to the knock-out stages.

Justin Fitpatrick was available after serving his suspension, but Solomons has resisted the temptation to include him. Instead he has kept faith with the same XV that triumphed 33-21 over Cardiff in Wales on Saturday.

When Ulster travelled to Northampton last October, their hosts ran out comfortable 32-9 winners. However, a home win over Biaritz, and the double over Cardiff leaves Ulster in with a fighting chance of progressing on the final weekend of pool matches.

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Kick-off at Ravenhill will be at 7.05 p.m.

Ulster:Bryn Cunningham, James Topping, Ryan Constable, Shane Stewart,Sheldon Coulter, David Humphreys, Neil Doak, Robbie Kempson, MattSexton, Simon Best, Gary Longwell, Jeremy Davidson, Andy Ward (Capt), NeilMcMillan, Tony McWhirter

Replacements:Justin Fitzpatrick, Paul Shields, Mark Blair, RussellNelson, Kieran Campbell, Jan Cunningham, Scott Young