Ulster to rage against dying of the light

Celtic League/Ulster v Glasgow:Mathematically, the defending champions still retain an interest in the destination of the Magners Celtic League title but, practically, Ulster are aware they remain on the periphery of that contest. In Swansea tonight either the Ospreys or Leinster will take a giant stride towards claiming that crown.

Still while there is still a pulse in Ulster rugby, they'll keep fighting.

Prior to Christmas there would have been little hesitation in tipping the home side but their form since then has been patchy. The lowest ebb mentally and physically probably came in the Heineken European Cup but those hangovers certainly lingered into the Celtic League fare.

Mark McCall's side face a Glasgow team who have been excellent in recent times, including a deserved victory over Leinster at Hughenden. The Scots are more robust on the road than in previous seasons and unless Ulster positively commit to the demands of this game, they could find themselves embarrassed in their final home game of the season in Belfast.

McCall has made one change to the team, restoring a fit again Rory Best to the hooking role and the coach is hoping to have David Humphreys and Paul Shields among the replacements. Glasgow have named international centre Andrew Henderson, fit again after injury, in their team.

His return is the only alteration coach Sean Lineen has made following the 40-23 win over Connacht in Galway a fortnight ago. Henderson missed that match having picked up an elbow injury. He replaces Graeme Morrison at outside centre.

Lineen admitted: "We've got a run-in of three tough games to finish the season and tomorrow we're up against a side who are gunning for the title. It couldn't be a tougher end to the season but we wouldn't have it any other way."

Indeed, the Ulster players will want to finish with a victory and so nurture twilight hopes that the title may somehow be thrust back in their direction.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, P Steinmetz, A Maxwell; P Wallace, I Boss; B Young, R Best, S Best; J Harrison, R Caldwell; S Ferris, N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: P Shields, J Fitzpatrick, T Barker, N McMillan, K Campbell, D Humphreys, P McKenzie.

GLASGOW: F Leonelli; R Lamont, A Henderson, S Barrow, T Evans; D Parks, G Beveridge; J Va'a, F Thomson, M Low; A Newman, A Kellock; S Swindall, J Barclay, J Beattie. Replacements: S Lawson, K Tkachuk, J Eddie, A Wilson, D Macfadyen, C Gregor, H O'Hare.

Referee: J Jones (Wales).

Verdict: Ulster to win.