Ulster name team to face Neath

Ulster have named their team for Friday night’s Celtic League quarter-final clash with Neath at Ravenhill.

Coach Alan Solomons has been able to name a team with just one change from his side’s last European outing, the dramatic last-gasp victory over Stade Francais earlier this month.

Bryn Cunningham, who suffered a badly gashed thigh in that game, is likely to be out of action for another four weeks, and misses out on Friday.

In the absence of Cunningham, the versatile Paddy Wallace, who has operated throughout the backline this season, moves to full back with Adam Larkin slotting into the Ulster midfield.

The White Knights, currently enjoying something of a revival after two lean seasons, will come into the match as favourites on the back of some terrific recent results, not least that epic win over a star-studded Stade Francais outfit.

But Solomons, who watched a depleted Ulster side lose in Connacht last weekend, is keen not to underestimate a Neath side who have already beaten Munster in this Celtic League campaign.

The South African has done his homework and draws attention to the international pedigree throughout the Welsh side. Hooker Barry Williams has toured with the Lions, Gareth Llewellyn has over 60 caps for his country while Solomon regards out-half Lee Jarvis as a "world-class" kicker.

The Welsh outside centre, Allan Bateman, may also feature for Neath.

"Clearly they're an excellent side with a good sprinkling of international players," Solomons told ireland.com. "The result gainst Munster [where they turned the Irish over 30-22] just underlines that."

"They’ve got a very solid forward unit and will be powerful at set-pieces, particularly in the line-outs. Behind the scrum Jarvis is a major player for them and has proved himself a world class kicker."

The mood, however, in the Ulster camp is buoyant and with captain Andy Ward shaking off a recent knock, coupled with the form of David Humphries, Solomons believes his side have the firepower to take the game to Neath.

"Naturally no-one is taking this lightly," he explains. "But we’ve got a strong team available to us. It’s going to be a tough, physical contest but one we’re looking forward to."

The full Ulster team is as follows:

Paddy Wallace; James Topping, Adam Larkin, Jonathan Bell, Tyrone Howe; David Humphreys, Neil Doak; Justin Fitzpatrick, Paul Shields, Simon Best, Gary Longwell, Mark Blair, Tony McWhirter, Andy WARD (Capt), Russell Nelson.

Replacements:Mark Crick, Clem Boyd, Jeremy Davidson, Neil McMillan, Kieran Campbell, Ryan Constable, Sheldon Coulter

The match - kick-off 7 p.m. - will be screened live on BBC Northern Ireland and tickets are still available from the Ulster Branch.