Injuries delay Neath selection

The Welsh All Blacks, as Neath are colloquially referred to, have delayed naming a side for tonight's Celtic League quarter-final because of niggling injuries.

Andrew Millward (calf), Dave Tiueti (groin) and James Story (ankle) are all expected to be available, but John Slade's ankle is rated no better than 50/50. Wales and Lions centre Allan Bateman is definitely out.

Ulster coach Alan Solomons is confident that both captain and flanker Andy Ward and hooker Paul Shields will not be hampered by recent injuries. The home side will be looking to build upon their tremendous victory over Stade Francais in the European Cup recently, but will be aware that Neath won their first four outings in the competition that included victories over Cardiff and Munster.

Neath captain, the former Welsh second row Gareth Llewellyn, pointed out: "I have won at Ravenhill when I played for Harlequins, and the ground has a similar atmosphere to the Gnoll.

"To get a win it is vital that you silence the crowd early on in the match. We must have total commitment up front to secure possession, and let the boys take them on in the backs."

Paddy Wallace reverts to full back in the absence of the injured Bryn Cunningham with Adam Larkin partnering Jonathan Bell in the centre.

Much will depend on the performance of the Ulster pack: If they secure quality possession then the in-form David Humphreys will once again be a pivotal figure.

Buoyed by the vocal home support, Ulster should advance to the semi-finals, but anything less than a committed, high-quality performance, will not suffice.

ULSTER: P Wallace; J Topping, A Larkin, J Bell, T Howe; D Humphreys, N Doak; J Fitzpatrick, P Shields, S Best, M Blair, G Longwell, T McWhirter, R Nelson, A Ward (capt). Replacements: M Crick, C Boyd, J Davidson, N McMillan, K Campbell, R Constable, S Coulter.

NEATH (from): G Morris, K James, J Storey, D Tiueti, S Williams, L Jarvis, A Moore, N Bonner Evans, B Sinkinson, A Mocelutu, G Llewellyn (capt), J Slade, R Phillips, A Millward, A Matthews, D Jones, A Howell, B Williams, P Jones, S Martin, S Tandy, S Connor, M Price.

Referee: T Spreadbury (England).