RUGBY: Christian Cullen will miss most of Munster's upcoming season because of complications to an injury sustained in March.

The former New Zealand fullback and record try-scorer was injured in the Celtic League game against Cardiff at The Arms Park.

Munster sources say Cullen will not be available to resume playing until February 2006.

Cullen signed for Munster amid much fanfare in late 2003 but missed much of that first season with a shoulder injury, and it was February 2004 before he made his debut, against Ospreys at Musgrave Park.

He is widely perceived as being past his brilliant best, but he is still only 29 and Munster supporters will be hoping he still has much to contribute, and in particular that he regains fitness in time for the knockout phase of the Heineken European Cup.

Meanwhile, with four friendly matches at the weekend, two new provincial coaches - Leinster's Michael Cheika and Munster's Declan Kidney - will have the chance to see their players in competitive action for the first time this season and, for the Australian Cheika, the first time ever.

Elsewhere, Mark McCall's Ulster should face a stiff examination against London Irish at Ravenhill Road on Friday night. And Michael Bradley takes Connacht into the second of their two friendly matches this week.

Having beaten the Italian side Parma 20-13 last night, Connacht face Leicester Tigers in the Sportsground, also on Friday night. Shane Jennings, Geordan Murphy, Leo Cullen and Ian Humphreys are expected to figure for the Tigers.

A number of new Ulster signings will be on show, and all eyes are likely to be on the Australian lock and 2003 World Cup finalist Justin Harrison, who gets his first outing for the province against a London Irish team coached by the former Ireland outhalf Brian Smith.

Harrison lines out in the second row along with the recently capped Matt McCullough, while the Ballymena and Ireland under-21 centre Andrew Trimble is rewarded for a strong showing in the Under-21 World Cup and will make his Ulster debut alongside the experienced Paul Steinmetz.

Ireland prop Simon Best takes over the captaincy following the retirement of Andy Ward, while international winger James Topping takes an important step forward when he begins his first game for Ulster since breaking a leg last September.

Ulster's record point-scorer, David Humphreys, will miss the game. The 33-year-old is sitting out the match as a precaution. Australian prop Rod Moore and Irish Sevens winger Andrew Maxwell are also out, with knee and ankle injuries respectively.

Leinster are expected to field several new faces against Parma, notably the Australian lock Adam Byrnes, frontrow Will Green and former Trinity number eight Jamie Heaslip. Leinster will use the match as a development exercise, with players rolling on and off.

Northampton Saints have not named a squad to face Munster, but it's probable the former All Black Carlos Spencer, England wing Ben Cohen, Ulster's Séamus Mallon and Leinster's David Quinlan will travel for the Friday night match in Thomond Park.

Munster have announced a 22-man squad and will use most if not all of that number. New faces abound as the Ireland-contracted nucleus of the squad remain with pre-season duties under coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

Mossie Lawlor is back after almost a season of injury, while Academy players and those with big reputations, such as Mick O'Driscoll, recently back from Perpignan, and the former Connacht backrow John O'Sullivan, will hope to make an impression.

The performance of Shannon prop Tony Buckley will also be watched with interest.

ULSTER (v London Irish) B Cunningham; J Topping, A Trimble, P Steinmetz, T Howe; P Wallace, K Campbell; B Young, P Shields, S Best (capt), J Harrison, M McCullough, C Feather, N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: tbc

MUNSTER (v Northampton) Backs: M Prendergast, F Murphy, P Burke, J Manning, M Lawlor, I Dowling, R Henderson, M Mullins, P Devlin, B Murphy, B Martin. Forwards: F Roche, G Flannery, T Buckley, D Fogarty, E McGovern, D Ryan, B Madigan, M O'Driscoll, J O'Sullivan, J O'Connor, S Keogh, A Foley, F Cogan.

Fixtures: - Friday 19th: Ulster v London Irish, Ravenhill Road 7.30pm; Connacht v Leicester Tigers, Sportsground 6.30pm; Munster v Northampton, Thomond Park 6.30pm. Saturday 20th: Leinster v Parma, Naas Rugby Club 3pm.