Ulster face sting

Ulster are unlikely to be afforded any sympathy in a quest for a first victory in this season's European Cup when they travel…

Ulster are unlikely to be afforded any sympathy in a quest for a first victory in this season's European Cup when they travel to Loftus Road tomorrow to take on an unbeaten London Wasps team. Lawrence Dallaglio's men warmed up for the arrival of the Irish province with a resounding 52-16 thrashing of Harlequins last weekend and they have the campaign's leading points scorer in Kenny Logan (64).

The Ulster team show six changes from their defeat by Llanelli last time out, and the return of internationals Dion O'Cuinneagain and David Humphreys should make them more competitive - they are the only side in either cup or shield not to have scored a try to date. Victory for Wasps would guarantee a quarter-final place and maintain the race for a home draw in both the quarter and semi-finals.

In the Shield, Connacht welcomes Steaua Bucharest to the Sportsground (3.0) this afternoon determined to exact revenge for an embarrassing defeat in the first fixture between the teams.

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer