European Cup Pool Two/Gloucester v Ulster: Ulster arrive at this juncture with nothing to play for and while they will be buoyed by last week's late Andrew Trimble try against Bourgoin that secured their first Heineken European Cup win of the campaign, this could get ugly.
Gloucester, currently top of the English Premiership, need a win to secure top spot in Pool Two and a home quarter-final.
The hosts have selected accordingly and will be ravenous to appease those who question their forward power after they were bossed by the Ospreys eight in last week's 32-15 defeat.
With Matt Williams taking up a two-and-a-half-year contract on February 1st, this is the last team selection by Ulster's caretaker, Steve Williams, and he has certainly left an imprint. Captain Rory Best returns at hooker just in time to lay claim to a place in the Six Nations squad after recovering from an ankle injury that initially threatened his season.
Justin Harrison also returns to the second row, while the back line is completely rejigged, with Paddy Wallace and Isaac Boss re-forming at halfback.
Paul Steinmetz is at 12 and Mark Bartholomeusz replaces Bryn Cunningham at fullback.
The most notable Gloucester selection is Lesley Vainikolo; the giant Tongan wing returns from New Zealand, where he recently buried his father.
There is a complete change at halfback as Rory Lawson and Chris Paterson replace Ryan Lamb and Gareth Cooper - who both struggled in Swansea. Nick Wood relieves veteran loosehead Christian Califano; Olivier Azam starts at hooker; and Alasdair Strokosch switches to blindside to enable Peter Buxton move into the second row as Alex Brown has sustained a broken arm.
"I think it shows the strength of our squad that we are able to rotate two players of the quality of Ryan and Chris," said coach Dean Ryan. "Chris is a guy of proven international quality and has a wonderful record.
"We are hugely fortunate to have him for a game of this calibre and in these conditions. He is streetwise and experienced and they are crucial qualities."
Gloucester are playing for their season; Ulster are playing for nothing besides international selection, which concerns only a few. That combination suggests just one thing - a heavy defeat.
GLOUCESTER: I Balshaw; J Simpson-Daniel, M Tindall, A Allen, L Vainikolo; C Paterson, R Lawson; N Wood, O Azam, C Nieto; P Buxton, M Bortolami (capt); A Strokosch, A Qera, G Delve. Replacements: A Titterrell, C Califano, W James, L Narraway, G Cooper, R Lamb, W Walker.
ULSTER: M Bartholomeusz; T Bowe, A Trimble, P Steinmetz, M McCrae; P Wallace, I Boss; B Young, R Best (capt), D Fitzpatrick; J Harrison, R Caldwell; M McCullough, N Best, G Webb. Replacements: N Brady, T Court, C Del Fava, N McMillan, K Campbell, N O'Connor, S Mallon.
Referee: Romain Poite (France).
Verdict: Home win.
