Ulster sights set on a swift return to form

RUGBY: Crestfallen by the manner of their narrow home defeat to Edinburgh, Ulster's hopes of swift redemption probably haven't been helped by Swansea's back-to-back defeats to Edinburgh and Neath.

Lions centre Mark Taylor had hoped to make a seasonal return but has failed a fitness test on a knee injury so John Connolly makes only two changes to the side which had more of a dour game in losing to Neath 20-16 last week at home. Arwel Thomas comes in for Gavin Henson and the ongoing absence of Garin Jenkins has been compounded by an injury to Dean Colclough, with Chris Balshaw coming in at hooker.

Connolly was upbeat yesterday about Swansea's chances. "It's only a matter of time before we put a win on the board."

Ulster are buoyed by the return of David Humphreys, while Paddy Wallace and Ryan Constable might make an impact from the bench, though as Kevin Moriarty, the Swansea director, says: "Humphreys is a player we'll have to watch closely. If you nullify Humphreys you go a long way to nullifying Ulster."

Alan Solomons was mindful of the need to beef up his midfield for this one. "Swansea have a big physical presence in the back line spearheaded by Scott Gibbs and I feel the changes we have made will give us more physical presence."

But will it be at the cost of an attacking game which has yielded only one try in two matches so far?

SWANSEA: K Morgan; M Robinson, S Winn, S Gibbs (capt), S Payne; A Thomas, S Cordingley; D Morris, C Balshaw, B Evans, J Slade, J Griffiths, R Jenkins, C Charvis, D Thomas.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; J Topping, J Bell (capt), A Larkin, T Howe; D Humphreys, N Doak; J Fitzpatrick, M Sexton, R Kempson, M Blair, J Davidson, W Brosnihan, R Nelson, N McMillan. Replacements: S Best, P Shields, T McWhirter, N Best, K Campbell, R Constable, P Wallace.

Referee: Steve Lander (England).

Odds (Paddy Power): Handicap betting (= Ulster +3pts) 10/11 Swansea, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Ulster.

Leading points scorers: Swansea - Gavin Henson 11. Ulster - Paddy Wallace 23.

Leading try scorers: Swansea - Shaun Payne, Kevin Morgan, Steve Winn 1 each. Ulster - Paddy Wallace 1.

Also playing: Ebbw Vale v Caerphilly (2.30), Neath v Llanelli (5.30). Pool B: Newport v Glasgow Rugby (2.30).