Ospreys ready for a fight

As a contest it requires precious little hype. If anything Munster's Heineken European Cup clash with the Neath/Swansea Ospreys at Thomond Park on Saturday could do with a few verbal bouquets rather than brickbats in the build-up to the contest. Some honeyed words to offer a salve to ill-feeling.

Two players sent off, citings and counter-citings in previous encounters this season underline the fractious nature of a rivalry that is set fair for a huge finale. Ospreys assistant coach Sean Holley described the match as the "the biggest game of the season" for the Welsh side.

"It will be the biggest game of our season because it's make or break in terms of our Heineken Cup campaign. The result will tell us whether the final match against Castres Olympique is a meaningful game or not.

"We know a hell of a lot about them and they know a hell of a lot about us. The two sides are not very far apart. We know how to beat them - we just have to execute it on the day. But Munster are such a good side, they're aware of where they're vulnerable and they have the ability to adapt during a game."

The tetchy nature of previous encounters - the appointment of Chris White as referee is a sensible move - can be reasonably explained according to Holley: "We do have a healthy respect for each other. The niggle evolves from how tight the games are. There are a lot of mini-matches between world-class players out there which tend to erupt sometimes."

Munster's pristine record at Thomond Park is dismissed by Holley who said: "Records are there to be broken. We're well aware of what a threat they are at home and we're well aware of the fact they are hot favourites.

"I remember going to Munster with Gloucester last season and knowing we could afford to lose by 10 points and still top the pool. They ended up beating us by more than 20. Munster are expected to qualify from this pool, so it's up to us to go over there and give it everything we've got."

A major concern for the Ospreys is their Welsh international centre Sonny Parker who has a wrist injury.

Munster's loss is even more debilitating, deprived as they will be of international outhalf Ronan O'Gara. It's not a slight on the ability of Paul Burke, just a recognition of the absence of a player who has orchestrated so many of the province's greatest days in recent times.

O'Gara's hand injury will see him sidelined for about four weeks although he was back in the gym yesterday. He's just not allowed any ball work. Burke will definitely start in the number 10 jersey and will relish the opportunity. The former Ireland outhalf has proved a very able deputy in Celtic League fare and will relish this opportunity. He's not a novice and won't be fazed by the occasion.

Munster, as is their wont these days, have named the cast of thousands - that is to say, a 25-man squad. A notable absentee apart from O'Gara is John Kelly, still struggling with a bruised foot.

Rob Henderson, despite shipping a heavy blow to the head in the Leinster game, is expected to start. John Hayes, although he didn't train yesterday, has recovered from a bout of flu.

Ulster make one change to the team that defeated Connacht for tomorrow night's European Cup game against Gloucester at Ravenhill. Simon Best has recovered from injury and is named at loosehead prop in preference to Ronan McCormack, the latter dropping to the bench.

There is one further change to the match 22 on duty the last day with Paddy Wallace included among the replacements ahead of Johnny Bell who has been laid low by a bug.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, K Maggs, P Steinmetz, T Howe; D Humphreys, K Campbell; S Best, R Best, R Moore; G Longwell, M McCullough; C Feather (capt), R Wilson, N Best. Replacements: R McCormack, P Shields, R Frost, A Ward, N Doak, A Larkin, P Wallace.

MUNSTER SQUAD: C Cullen, P Burke, P Devlin, A Foley, J Flannery, R Henderson, J Holland, A Horgan, M Horan, J Hayes, T Hogan, M Lawlor, D Leamy, M Mullins, G McIlwham, P O'Connell, D O'Callaghan, M Prendergast, S Payne, A Quinlan, F Sheahan, P Stringer, J Storey, J Williams, D Wallace.