Ulster likely

The decibel levels in the respective Ulster and Connacht dressingrooms last weekend remained within acceptable levels despite the crushing failure of both provinces. Coaches Harry Williams (Ulster) and Glenn Ross (Connacht) were not prepared to exacerbate the collective misery of poor performances by spitting out a few dummies.

However a repeat performance by either side will not be tolerated at Ravenhill tonight when the two provinces meet. Ulster desperately needs to rediscover a glimmer of last season's precision and in doing so confirm their place in next season's European Cup. Injuries to Dion O'Cuinneagain and Riaz Fredericks are not as damaging when one considers the quality of replacements in Eric Miller and Jan Cunningham.

The Ulster pack will come under nothing like the buffeting they received last weekend against Munster and should therefore be able to provide the requisite platform from which to release their high quality three-quarter line. If Connacht resorts to illegal measures then Simon Mason will exact heavy retribution.

It is difficult to see how Connacht can address in the short term the deficiencies thrown up in their 53-8 defeat by Leinster. Key individuals are not performing and while there is much to admire in the bravery of their captain Eric Elwood playing with a broken foot, the inherent handicap is obvious. It is difficult to see Connacht dominating up front and as a result they will struggle.

Matt Mostyn switches to centre for this match and it will be interesting to note how he fares in a more familar position. But the changes to the Connacht back line are not likely to conjure a "quick fix". Instead they may have to brace themselves for another long and demanding evening where the performance rather than the result offers the best hope of some joy.

ULSTER: S Mason; J Topping, J Cunningham, J Bell, S Bromley; D Humphreys (capt), S Bell; J Fitzpatrick, A Clarke, S Best; P Johns, M Blair; E Miller, T McWhirter, A Ward: Replacements: S Coulter, N Malone, A Matchett, S McKinty, G Longwell, R Weir, L Stewart.

CONNACHT: S Allnutt; P Duignan, M Mostyn, M Deane, N Carolan; E Elwood (capt), S McIvor; J Maher, S McDonald, M Cahill; G Webster, M McConnell; C Rigney, M Steffert, E Brennan. Replacements: M Murphy, O Cobbe, D Mescal, J Screene, J McVeigh, B Jackman, B Gavin.

Referee: B Smith (Munster).