If the manner of their Celtic League semi-final defeat to Munster and the unavailability of a suitable pitch to train on all week have proved a distraction for Ulster, coach Alan Solomons and his squad should spare a thought for their opponents Cardiff.
While Ulster's preparation for today's Pool Six game at the Arms Park has been far from ideal, Cardiff, without a win in the competition this season, have the cloud of potential unemployment hanging over them. The proposal to reduce the number of professional clubs from nine to four provinces would result in about 150 players being made redundant.
Cardiff coach David Young yesterday admitted the uncertainty was having an unhealthy effect.Cardiff have lost their way (two wins from their last 10 matches) and big names such as former Britain rugby league star Iestyn Harris and Welsh wing Craig Morgan have lost their form.
Both have been dropped by Young as part of five changes, one positional, from the side that lost heavily to Neath in the other Celtic League semi-final.
Ryan Powell and Nicky Robinson step up to form a new half-back pairing, Anthony Sullivan comes onto the wing while Peter Rogers starts at tighthead after a three-match suspension with Tim Payne switching to loosehead.
The home side's plight will attract little sympathy from Ulster, however. Solomons's side still have an outside chance of reaching the quarter-finals, and, as long as Biarritz lose at Northampton today, a big victory for Ulster would set up a thrilling showdown with the English club at Ravenhill next Friday.
Solomons has also made five changes to the side that went down in controversial style to Munster.
Justin Fitzpatrick is suspended following his red card for his part in the 11th-minute brawl at Thomond Park, so Simon Best comes in at tighthead with Robbie Kempson switching to loose.
Andy Ward returns to captain the side on the blindside flank in place of the injured Warren Brosnihan. Adam Larkin is unavailable (concussion) so Ryan Constable returns at outside centre having been given clearance by the neurologist on Tuesday following a trapped nerve problem. Shane Stewart switches to inside centre.
The Arms Park has proved a miserable hunting ground for Ulster on their last two European visits, but it should prove third time lucky today.
CARDIFF: R Williams; N Walne, J Robinson, M Allen, A Sullivan; N Robinson, R Powell; P Rogers, G Woods, T Payne, H Senekal, J Tait, D Baugh, M Williams (capt), E Lewis. Replacements: D Young, J Yapp, A Jones, D McShane, R Smith, I Harris, D Dewdney.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; J Topping, R Constable, S Stewart, S Coulter; D Humphreys, N Doak; R Kempson, M Sexton, S Best, G Longwell, J Davidson, A Ward (capt), N McMillan, T McWhirter. Replacements: P Shields, C Boyd, M Blair, R Nelson, K Campbell, J Cunningham, S Young.
Referee: S Lander (RFU).
<P W D L F A Tr Pts
Northampton 4 3 0 1 108 43 11 6
Biarritz 4 3 0 1 83 68 7 6
Ulster 4 2 0 2 67 72 4 4
Cardiff 4 0 0 4 32 107 1 0
