Ulster look to pack for platform

Celtic League/Ulster v Border Reivers, Ravenhill (7.30). On TV: Setanta Sports:  It almost resembles a gunfight as Ulster and Leinster stare down each other on the run-in to a Celtic League title that will reside in one of the two provinces after the tournament reaches its conclusion over the next fortnight. It's now down to who blinks first.

Muddying the water slightly is the fact there are third parties involved in deciding the title. Tonight the Border Reivers stand in the way of the five-point haul Ulster would crave while on Sunday, Leinster travel to Cardiff to face an in-form side.

Ulster demonstrated tremendous character last weekend in surviving a fraught finish to their narrow win over the Cardiff at Ravenhill. Tonight's assignment, on paper at least, doesn't appear as onerous, but if Ulster aren't mentally and physically sharp the formbook won't matter a jot. The home side are aware a four-try, bonus-point win would lay down a marker to Leinster.

New Zealand-born centre Paul Steinmetz has endured more bad fortune this season than any player could expect in his worst nightmares. He's gone for the remainder of the campaign and his absence is a huge loss.

He organises Ulster's back-line defence and is also a useful, left- footed kicking foil, that dilutes the pressure on outhalf David Humphreys. In trying to discern how the Irish province will fare, Humphreys is always central to any hypothesis.

Ulster possesses high-quality finishers out wide in the footballing ability and physique of Tommy Bowe and the sheer pace of Andrew Maxwell. They would profit from a high-profile display by Andrew Trimble but for those backs to thrive the pack will have to lay the foundations.

Bryan Young has enjoyed a superb "debut" season that could eventually see him travel to the Southern Hemisphere this summer, along with his frontrow colleagues, the Best brothers, Rory and Simon. There is football and abrasiveness in the back five, qualities that will be required to subdue a lively Borders side that can play a bit themselves.

Reivers' coach Steve Bates has made two changes from the side that came close to pipping Llanelli at Stradey Park. Captain Paul Thomson returns in place of Tom McGee and backrow Semo Sititi comes in for John Dalziel with Kelly Brown switching to flanker. Bates admitted: "We are going over there with the best team available to us and the boys are keen to do well. Right across the board we have performed better away from home than last season."

The Scottish side have a cutting edge out wide with Simon Danielli and the six-try Nikki Walker. Sititi is an aggressive presence up front in a pack led by Bruce Douglas.

Tyrone Howe is named among the replacements and is sure to be given a resounding Ravenhill roar if he is called upon to make his 100th appearance in his final season. It should be a night of celebration all round.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, J Bell, 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, P Shields, R Caldwell, N McMillan, K Campbell, P Wallace, T Howe.

BORDER REIVERS: S Moffat; S Danielli, B MacDougall, C MacRae, N Walker; G Townsend; B McKerchar; P Thomson (capt), S Scott, B Douglas; S MacLeod, O Palepoi; K Brown, A Miller, S Sititi. Replacements: S Crombie, T McGee, C Stewart, J Dalziel, J Weston, C Hore, G Law.

Referee: James Jones (Wales).

Leading points scorers: Ulster - David Humphreys 195; Border Reivers - Charlie Hore 121.

Leading try scorers: Ulster - Tommy Bowe 7; Border Reivers - Nikki Walker 6.

Verdict: Ulster to win.