RUGBY: Justin Fitzpatrick will be disappointed that a moment of indiscipline last week will cause him to miss Ulster's fifth-round Heineken European Cup match against Cardiff on Saturday in the Arms Park.
The prop received a 10-day suspension following a disciplinary hearing last night in Dublin. Fitzpatrick was shown the red card for punching Munster's Anthony Foley during their Celtic League semi-final at Thomond Park last Friday night.
The suspension adds to coach Alan Solomons's injury headache, although centre Ryan Constable has been passed fit to play after sustaining a neck injury in a friendly match on December 27th. It was initially thought Constable had suffered his third concussion this season, which carries a mandatory lay-off of three weeks, but that proved not to be the case.
With only three fit replacement backs, Constable's return to partner Shane Stewart will come as a relief to Solomons, who is also missing Paddy Wallace (broken leg), Johnny Bell (shoulder), Tyrone Howe (hamstring) and Adam Larkin (concussion). Back-row Warren Brosnihan is out with a broken hand.
There is some good news too that a fully fit former Irish back-row Andy Ward returns to the starting line-up as captain of the side. Ward is anxious to again become one of the central figures in the provincial set-up.
Ulster still have a strong looking side. Bryn Cunningham takes his place at full back despite some stitches to an ear wound while Sheldon Coulter lines out on the wing. David Humphreys and Neil Doak form the half-back partnership with Simon Best coming in for Fitzpatrick in the front row.
Gary Longwell and Jeremy Davidson again form the second row with Ward at blindside flanker alongside Neil McMillen and Tony McWhirter.
Tickets for the European Cup final on May 24th go on sale through Ticketmaster tomorrow (9.0a.m.). European Rugby Cup Ltd are putting 6,000 tickets up for sale, which will be allocated on a basis of four tickets per credit card.
A minimum of 15,000 tickets will be made available to each finalist. Ticket prices range from €21 to €57 plus handling charges and can be obtained from Ticketmaster on a 24-hour line on 1890 925120 or by visiting the ERC website at www.ercrugby.com.
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, N McMillan, T McWhirter. Replacements: C Boyd, P Shields, M Blair, R Nelson, K Campbell, J Cunningham, S Young.
