Ulster v Ospreys:The defending champions are in ribbons. Not only is Nikki Walker on Scottish duty and 11 others in the Welsh squad but the excellent backrower Ryan Jones is still coming back from a shoulder operation. Add a flu bug to this mix and it is unclear whether their remaining star turns - Gavin Henson, Justin Marshall, Stefan Terblanche, Mark Taylor, Lee Byrne and Brent Cockbain - will line out at Ravenhill this evening.
In perhaps a reaction to the lack of available recent footage of Ulster, Ospreys coach Lyn Jones only released a 25-man squad yesterday.
"Our preparations for this match have been hampered by illness, injury and a lack of available analysis of the opposition. As coaches and players you get use to reviewing the opposition ahead of a fixture but this luxury has not been available to us, whereas our opponents will have the benefit of reviewing our televised fixtures against the Blues and the Scarlets."
When Shane Williams, Sonny Parker, James Hook, Mike Phillips, Jonathan Thomas, Ian Evans, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Gough, Adam Jones, Huw Bennett and Duncan Jones do eventually return to the fold - allied by All Black signing Marty Holah - the Ospreys will unquestionably possess the strongest squad in the competition.
It is a team built for an assault upon Europe. For tonight, though, they are sitting ducks.
Mark McCall picked a decent Ulster line-up, whereby their resources are only tested at frontrow and centre due to World Cup absentees, but the selection of lock Matt McCullough at blindside flanker is a notable experiment. The backrow is not overly weakened by Neil Best's absence as the highly rated Irish under-20s captain David Pollack is on bench. Justin Harrison is also held in reserve.
The most radical selection is Tommy Bowe at outside centre. The international winger is a direct attacking force but has never displayed the handling skills to make an impact in midfield. Just like 2003, poor Paddy Wallace may return from the World Cup with the outhalf/centre combinations already established. He certainly won't be afforded an opportunity to shine under the current Irish management.
One familiar face is David Humphreys at number 10, where he starts his 10th and perhaps last season in the Ulster play-making role, and his presence should see Ulster begin their campaign with a victory.
ULSTER: M Bartholomeusz/B Cunningham; S Danielli, T Bowe, S Mallon, M McCrea; D Humphreys, K Campbell; J Fitzpatrick, N Brady, T Court; T Barker, R Caldwell; M McCullough, K Dawson, R Wilson (capt). Replacements: M Miles, D Fitzpatrick, J Harrison, D Pollock, P Marshall, N O'Connor, M Bartholomeusz/B Cunningham.
OSPREYS (squad): Backs: L Byrne, G Henson, S Terblanche, M Taylor, J Spratt, A Bishop, A Brew, J Vaughton, S Connor, J Marshall, M Roberts. Forwards: F Tiatia, S Tandy, T Smith, A Lloyd, B Lewis, M Powell M Collins, D Lloyd Jones, B Cockbain, C Griffiths, B Williams, R Hibbard, P James, A Millward.
Referee: D Changleng (SRU).
Verdict: Ulster win.
