RUGBY HEINEKEN CUP Ulster v Scarlets:MATT WILLIAMS has recently steered Ulster away from the precipice towards which they were hurtling during the early part of the season and over the next week they will get an opportunity to confirm that rehabilitation in the back-to-back tussles.
The Ulster coach's immediate priority tonight will be to elicit another good performance in keeping with recent victories over Munster and Connacht. The return of Simon Danielli and Andrew Trimble on the wings will offset the injury to Fijian Timosi Nagusa that rules him out of this game.
The Scarlets and Ulster find themselves in a similar predicament in that both teams have lost their opening two matches in Europe. The Irish province applied themselves diligently in defeat against Stade Français at Ravenhill but there was precious little inspiration. Harlequins simply had too much pace and power for Ulster at the Stoop, the latter's brittle away form once again evident.
The team formerly known as Llanelli were surprisingly turned over at their old ground Stradey Park - they have since moved to their new home Parc y Scarlet - by Harlequins on the opening weekend in the Heineken Cup but played a great deal more competently than the final 37-15 scoreline suggested in losing to Stade Français in Paris.
Tonight's protagonists both crave successive victories which they feel would propel them to the periphery of the contest for pool honours.
Ulster possess the wherewithal to lay a platform up front, from the set-piece solidity to the ball carrying of secondrow Ryan Caldwell - he needs to be more disciplined - and an excellent, athletic backrow consisting of Stephen Ferris, David Pollack and Robbie Diack.
Cillian Willis and Ian Humphreys have grasped the chance to be considered on merit the starting halfback combination, while Paddy Wallace and Darren Cave have formed an outstanding partnership. Ulster need to ensure a pace, intensity and accuracy to their play to prevail against a visiting side that won't break down defensively in the facile manner in which Connacht did.
The Scarlets are handicapped by injury concerns to Kees Meeuws, Gavin Thomas, Rob Higgitt, Scott MacLeod, Gavin Evans, Simon Maling and Darren Daniel. The absence of Evans and Daniel means replacement outhalf Ceiron Thomas starts on the right wing.
The visitors include four players - Dafydd Jones, Mark Jones, Stephen Jones and Matthew Rees - who took part in Wales' victory over Australia and will be led by former Ireland international Simon Easterby.
Coach Nigel Davies remains upbeat: "We're not where we want to be in Europe at this stage but I don't think it's completely over for us.
"If we can go to Belfast and get a result then that puts us in a position where we can look forward to two back-to-back home games. So, if we get a result in Belfast, then who knows? We're a very proud team and we're not going to hide. We'll fight all the way."
Two teams with nothing and everything to play for: Ulster seem the better equipped this week.
ULSTER:B Cunningham; S Danielli, D Cave, P Wallace, A Trimble; I Humphreys, C Willis; J Fitzpatrick, R Best (capt), B Botha; R Caldwell, E O'Donoghue; S Ferris, D Pollack, R Diack. Replacements: N Brady, T Court, M McCullough, K Dawson, I Boss, P Steinmetz, M McCrea.
SCARLETS:M Stoddart; C Thomas, R King, J Davies, M Jones; S Jones, M Roberts; I Thomas, M Rees, D Manu; V Cooper, D Day; S Easterby (capt), D Jones, D Lyons. Replacements: K Owens, P John, N Thomas, J Edwards, G Cattle, R Priestland, L Williams.
Referee:Andrew Small (England) Results so far (HC 2009) - Ulster (h) lost to Stade Français 10-26; Ulster (a) lost to Harlequins 42-21. Scarlets (h) lost to Harlequins 22-29; Scarlets (a) lost to Stade Français 37-15.
Previous meetings(HC) - Pool 1999: Ulster 6 Scarlets 29. Pool 1999: Scarlets 20 Ulster 3. Pool 2006: Scarlets 21 Ulster 15. Pool 2007: Scarlets 11 Llanelli 35.
Leading points scorers:Ulster - Niall O'Connor 11; Scarlets - Stephen Jones 15. Leading try scorers: Ulster - Paddy Wallace 2; Scarlets - Mark Jones 2.
Verdict:Ulster to win.
