MAGNERS LEAGUE Glasgow v Ulster:ULSTER COACH Matt Williams will hope his charges can significantly improve on recent performances despite a lengthening injury list that sees 11 players queuing for treatment. The Australian has elected to rest joint-top try scorer Darren Cave, starting promising young centre Ian Whitten alongside Paddy Wallace.
Paul Marshall gets a start at scrumhalf, Carlo del Fava replaces the injured Ed O’Donoghue in the secondrow while Australian-born prop Daniel Roach is named among the replacements.
Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris returns following a hand injury sustained in the Grand Slam decider against Wales and he is intent on making an immediate impact.
“No one likes to be injured and it is always hard sitting in the stand watching, because you think, if I was out there maybe I could offer something,” said Ferris.
“Again it is easy to do that when you are sitting watching. The side have gone a bit flat, we have had a row of bad performances and it is important now that we improve on that. I am feeling fresh and I am keen to bring a bit of energy and enthusiasm into the side, and hopefully everyone else involved will as well, so we can at least have a decent run towards the end of the season.”
Their hosts, Glasgow, broke a three-game losing sequence last time with an impressive six-try demolition of the Scarlets in Wales last time out and coach Seán Lineen has announced a strong side that includes a seriously gifted three-quarter line in which the Evans brothers, Max and Thom, will be pivotal figures.
Glasgow have won once in their last five games against Irish opposition but Ulster have managed only a single victory on the road – mind you it was against Munster at Thomond Park – since November 2007.
Ferris will make a difference and Ulster should win enough ball but the Glasgow backs look better equipped to translate possession into points.
GLASGOW:C Gregor; L Fa'atau, M Evans, G Morrison, T Evans; R Jackson, M McMillan; K Tkachuk, D Hall, M Low; T Barker, A Kellock (capt); J Eddie, J Barclay, K Brown. Replacements: F Thomson, E Kalman, D Turner, C Forrester, D Parks, A Henderson, B Stortoni.
ULSTER:C Schifcofske; S Danielli, I Whitten, P Wallace, A Trimble; N O'Connor, P Marshall; B Young, R Best (capt), BJ Botha; C del Fava, R Caldwell; S Ferris, D Pollack, R Diack. Replacements: N Brady, D Roach, M McCullough, C Henry, I Boss, D Cave, I Humphreys.
Referee:G Morris (Wales)
Last meeting:(March 2009): Ulster 12 Glasgow 0.
Leading points scorers:Glasgow – Dan Parks 111. Ulster – Ian Humphreys 72.
Leading try scorers:Glasgow – Thom Evans 8. Ulster – Darren Cave, Simon Danielli 4 each.
Verdict:Glasgow to win
