Final step the hardest for Ulster

Celtic League Llanelli v Ulster Stradey Park, 7.35The Celtic League organisers could not have dreamed up a better finale: the two top teams in the competition slugging it out on the final evening in a winner-takes-all scenario, presuming of course the Gwent Dragons don't sneak up on the rails.

Ulster under Alan Solomons may have fallen short in Heineken European rugby, but they have coped much better in their Celtic environs. To be certain of achieving a unique league-and-cup double they require a bonus point tonight. That is a tough proposition against the finest Wales has to offer.

The incentive to end the Irish monopoly of the competition is an attractive carrot for the Llanelli Scarlets. They have been the Principality's standard bearers in the European Cup, like Munster in many respects. Also like Munster, they have failed to go the extra yard and win the competition, with several agonisingly close calls - none closer than the 2002 semi-final, when a last-gasp penalty from Leicester's Tim Stimpson, aided by the crossbar, sent them packing.

This year their pride was severely dented at Stradey Park when they under-performed in the quarter-final and were duly swept aside by a rampant Biarritz. The tame Leinster Lions arrived the following week only to be sent away bloodied and bruised on a 51-20 scoreline. In short, they don't cough up too many defeats at home.

Tonight is the Scarlets' first chance of some silverware and may well be their ageing team's last as the other Welsh sides gain ground. Also, outhalf Stephen Jones departs for Montferrand next season, leaving a void in their pivotal position that director of rugby Gareth Jenkins will struggle to fill.

Looking through their starting line-up, you sense they have the required ammunition to prevail. Jones kicks his points and attacks the line with zest, Lions centre Mark Taylor is a class act, and their beefy pack contains veteran internationals in Robin McBryde, Chris Wyatt and Scott Quinnell, not to mention Simon Easterby on the openside flank.

Captain Andy Ward is joined in the Ulster back row by the two highly-rated rookies, Neil Best and Roger Wilson. Their performances will be crucial, as will the whole battle up front; Llanelli will attempt to steamroll to victory.

The Welsh have lost international scrumhalf Dwayne Peel to a hamstring strain; Mike Philips (another Welsh international) steps in, with Dale Burn promoted to the bench.

Ulster have their own injury concerns as Tyrone Howe has been ruled out with the head injury he sustained while making a tackle in his two-try performance against Leinster last week in Ravenhill. James Topping is an able replacement for his fellow international winger.

Llanelli may be favourites but Ulster have been equally proficient throughout the campaign. Solomons was undoubtedly aided by the lack of disruption to his squad all year. Just Paddy Wallace, Simon Best and David Humphreys were taken to the World Cup - while from tonight's squad only the latter was used in the Six Nations.

To deny Llanelli the title, Ulster will have to produce their best performance under departing coach Solomons and that means an effort even superior to the one that put Leicester to the sword earlier in the season, significantly at Ravenhill.

LLANELLI: B Davies; G Evans, M Taylor, M Watkins, S Finau; S Jones, M Philips; I Thomas, R McBryde, J Thiel, V Cooper (capt), C Wyatt, D Hodges, S Easterby, S Quinnell. Replacements: J Davies, A Gravelle, B Griffiths, D Jones, D Burn, G Bowen, L Davies.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; S Young, S Mallon, S Stewart, J Topping; D Humphreys, N Doak; S Best, M Sexton, R Moore, M Mustchin, R Frost, A Ward (capt), N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: P Shields, R McCormack, T Barker, N McMillan, K Campbell, A Larkin, P Wallace.

Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland).