Stakes high but Ulster can prevail

Celtic League: The loser here will be shunted to the periphery of the scramble for the Celtic League title. This clash pits second, Ulster, against third, Cardiff, in what promises to be an emotionally-charged occasion. The late kick-off won't appeal to either side but Setanta Sports call the shots in this case.

Mark McCall has included a fit again Paul Steinmetz in midfield in a team that is short of match practice in recent times. They played just a single match in April. Ulster can't afford any rustiness against a Cardiff side that has won its last six matches in the competition.

The Welsh side are largely back to full strength, Jonah Lomu's damaged ankle notwithstanding, possibly galvanised by the whispers that coach David Young is being considered for a place in the new Welsh management set-up under Gareth Jenkins.

Cardiff have made three changes to the team that beat Connacht last weekend.

Jamie Robinson has recovered from his ankle injury to take his place in the centre while Maama Molitika returns to the pack for his first start in nearly a month. Nick Macleod starts at full back.

Xavier Rush will captain the side as Rhys Williams is still suffering from a hamstring injury but should return for the Leinster match. Martyn Williams had a scan on his shoulder following the Connacht game and may yet be fit enough to take his place on the bench. A decision on his fitness will be taken today.

Both teams possess backlines endowed with pace and game-breaking individual talent. Ulster will look to Andrew Trimble to make the breaks and wings Tommy Bowe and the flying Andrew Maxwell to convert them. Isaac Boss has settled in well at scrumhalf while David Humphreys will, as ever, be a barometer of his team's fortunes.

Bryan Young's frontrow education will be further expanded against a physically powerful Cardiff pack. The visitors may have the edge in the scrum but the home side look to have a better lineout. A vocal and passionate Ulster support will be very important in sustaining the home side's challenge in a game they simply must win.

Cardiff, too, know that their ambitions will be thwarted by a defeat. With so much at stake it's likely to be an abrasive contest whose intensity will probably be more like that of a Heineken European Cup clash.

Home advantage should be pivotal to the outcome.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, P Steinmetz, A Maxwell; D Humphreys, I Boss; B Young, R Best, S Best; M McCullough, J Harrison; N Best, S Ferris, R Wilson. Replacements: J Fitzpatrick, N Brady, R Caldwell, N McMillan, K Campbell, P Wallace, J Bell.

CARDIFF BLUES: N Macleod; C Czekaj, J Robinson, M Stcherbina, C Morgan; N Robinson, M Phillips; J Yapp, R Thomas, G Jenkins; R Sidoli, D Jones; M Molitika, Robin Sowden-Taylor, X Rush (capt). Replacements: B Evans, D Goodfield, K Schubert, M Lewis/M Williams, R Powell, T Davies, D Hewitt.

Referee: Peter Allan (Scotland).

Leadings points scorers: Ulster - David Humphreys 179. Cardiff - Nick Robinson 158.

Leading try scorers: Ulster - Tommy Bowe 7. Chris Czekaj, Nick Robinson 6 each.

Verdict: Ulster to win

Ulster v Cardiff Blues Ravenhill, 9.0 On TV: Setanta Sports