Ulster to sneak fascinating encounter

RUGBY:PETER STRINGER'S landmark achievement in winning his 200th Munster cap won't distract him or his team-mates in trying to maintain their primacy in the current Magners League standings. It's a tough assignment based on the simple mathematics of those who are not available to coach Tony McGahan, but the visitors rarely complained about their lot when pressed by similar circumstances in the past.

Instead they have displayed obduracy in adversity and that’ll be a starting point for them this evening in Belfast. While there is a callow look to some faces on their bench in terms of senior provincial experience, the team boasts a strong spine of those well versed and perfectly equipped to deal with the demands of this contest.

The obvious exceptions are centre Ivan Dineen, hooker Mike Sherry and secondrow Ian Nagle. Dineen, though, finds himself in a three-quarter line that contains the in-form Johne Murphy, Denis Hurley and captain for the occasion Doug Howlett. The former All Black is in superb form and back to his sharpest.

Paul Warwick joins Stringer at halfback with Scott Deasy handed a rare opportunity to showcase his aptitude and development. Forwards will without fail advocate that matches are won primarily up front, a statement that’s likely to be borne out on the pitch tonight.

It would be wrong to suggest that Wian du Preez, John Hayes, Alan Quinlan, Niall Ronan and James Coughlan will need to mollycoddle the promising Billy Holland, Sherry and Nagle but their collective hard edge and ability should provide the visitors with a platform. Sherry’s lineout throwing will receive a stiff examination in the absence of Mick O’Driscoll. The latter runs a tight ship out of touch.

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin might bemoan a recurrence of a wrist injury to tighthead prop BJ Botha. The South African’s ability in the scrum will be missed. Paddy McAllister has acquitted himself very capably and it’ll be instructive to note how the adaptable Bryan Young gets on at tighthead prop against du Preez.

Ulster players, to a man, have lavished praise on Johann Muller since the Springbok’s arrival in the province, and his leadership qualities as well as physical attributes and work ethic will be important this evening. Willie Faloon returns to a backrow that includes Pedrie Wannenburg and Robbie Diack.

The continuing absence through injury of Darren Cave and Simon Danielli, and the national squad commitments of Paddy Wallace and Andrew Trimble, ensures an appreciably young backline. Nevin Spence is introduced at inside centre with Ian Whitten shifting out one place, while Mark McCrea and David McIlwaine are retained on the wing. Ian Humphreys replaces leading points’ scorer Niall O’Connor at outhalf.

Ulster replacement Luke Marshall displayed his prodigious talent in the first ever match staged at the Aviva Stadium when a Leinster/Ulster combined team steamrolled a Munster/Connacht selection. It would be nice to see him get an opportunity; the same sentiment can be expressed for Munster’s Ireland Under-20 wing Simon Zebo.

The contest appears precariously balanced on paper. Ulster may have a slighter stronger starting pack but the visitors boast greater frontrow acumen on the bench. Flanker Peter O’Mahony is an outstanding prospect but Ulster’s Chris Henry and Dan Tuohy have already experienced Ireland senior honours.

On the basis of the earlier scientific evaluation advanced by forwards, Ulster may hold a slight edge up front and this would both allow Ruan Pienaar the platform to have a big impact on proceedings and suggest the home team should prevail. The respective outhalves, Ulster’s Ian Humphreys and Paul Warwick, both favour an expansive approach which could make for an entertaining evening.

The bookmakers make the home side four-point favourites, a margin that’s likely to reflect the ebb and flow of the contest: Ulster to eke out a narrow win.

ULSTER: A D’Arcy; M McCrea, I Whitten, N Spence, D McIlwaine; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; P McAllister, N Brady, B Young, J Muller (Captain), T Barker, P Wannenburg, W Faloon, R Diack. Replacements: A Kyriacou, J Cronin, A Whitten, D Tuohy, C Henry, P Marshall, N O’Connor, L Marshall.

MUNSTER: S Deasy; D Howlett (capt), J Murphy, I Dineen, D Hurley; P Warwick, P Stringer; W du Preez, M Sherry, J Hayes; B Holland, I Nagle; A Quinlan, N Ronan, J Coughlan. Replacements: S Henry, Darragh Hurley, S Archer, T O’Donnell, P O’Mahony, D Williams, B Murphy, S Zebo.

Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)

Last meeting: At Ravenhill – Ulster 15 Munster 10. Leading points scorers: Ulster – Niall O’Connor 51. Munster – Ronan O’Gara 68. Leading try scorers: Ulster – Ian Whitten 2. Munster – Niall Ronan 3.

Odds: Ulster 4/7, draw 20/1, Munster 11/8. Handicap: Ulster (-4) 10/11, draw 20/1, Ulster (+4) 10/11.