Ulster can deny Connacht 'domestic triple crown'

MAGNERS LEAGUE: Connacht v Ulster: THIS ONE is about team goals. Ulster want to finish as high up the table as possible and Connacht, having put both Munster and Leinster to the sword at home this season, are looking to achieve a "domestic triple crown", something which head coach Michael Bradley feels is a great incentive going into the game.

“We’re looking forward to the match on the basis that we’ve a unique opportunity to have home victories over the three other Irish provinces in the one season, a feat that Connacht rugby have not achieved in the professional era so far,” said Bradley.

Andrew Farley is also achieving his 153rd cap for Connacht, while Michael Swift will earn his 150th for the province.

Ulster arrive missing four front-line backs. Paddy Wallace, who will spend more time on the sideline after another concussion, is out as is Andrew Trimble and Bryn Cunningham and Paul Steinmetz.

Last time in Belfast, Ulster got two tries directly from short lineouts and another three from Connacht turnovers in a clinical performance.

In the Connacht backline Troy Nathan comes into the side at fullback with Gavin Duffy reverting to inside centre. In the pack Ronan Loughney returns to the frontrow and John Muldoon starts again at number eight, while Ray Ofisa moves to openside flanker for this difficult meeting.

CONNACHT: T Nathan; F Carr, G Duffy, K Matthews, L Bibo; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Loughney; M Swift, A Farley; A Browne, R Ofisa, J Muldoon (capt). Replacements:A Flavin, B McGovern, D Gannon, C Rigney, C O'Loughlin, A Dunne, M Deane.

ULSTER: C Schifcofske, S Danielli, D Cave, I Whitten, T Nagusa, N O'Connor, P Marshall T Court, R Best (capt), BJ Botha, E O'Donoghue, R Caldwell, S Ferris, C Henry, R Diack. Replacements: N Brady, B Young, C Del Fava, M McCullough, I Boss, I Humphreys, R Dewey.

Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland) .

Verdict:Ulster win.