Ulster must not take these lowly Warriors lightly

Celtic League/Glasgow v Ulster: Normally an assignment against a team second from bottom in the Celtic League, even away from…

Celtic League/Glasgow v Ulster: Normally an assignment against a team second from bottom in the Celtic League, even away from home, would not be considered that arduous, but that table position does scant justice to the Glasgow Warriors.

They have eight losing bonus points, indicating they have lost that number of matches by seven points or less. Their inability to find the finishing line in matches shouldn't camouflage the fact they are a tough side to beat even away from their traditional home: they have opted to play this game at Firhill.

Coach Sean Lineen will be heartened by the return of Andrew Wilson, a player he rates highly. The flanker has been out for six months with a fractured and dislocated ankle.

Lineen enthused, "Andy has been working hard and playing club rugby for Aberdeen GSFP in the BT Premiership to build up his game time and we're very pleased he's ready to rejoin our starting line-up.

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"It has been a frustrating time for him but hopefully against Ulster he will get the chance to show what he can do, particularly with the forthcoming Scotland v Barbarians game, the Scotland tour to South Africa and Scotland A trip to Canada for the Churchill Cup fast approaching."

Glasgow have elected to start John Barclay and John Beattie on the bench but both should play a part in the proceedings. The Scottish side play a fast, expansive game and if allowed to get into their rhythm will be very difficult to dispossess.

Ulster's game time in the last month or so has been quite fractured and this is a tricky hurdle for Mark McCall's charges but if they are to continue their press for Celtic League honours, it is a game they simply have to win.

GLASGOW WARRIORS: G Staniforth; R Lamont, H O'Hare, A Henderson, C Shaw; D Parks, S Pinder; K Tkachuk, S Lawson, E Murray; D Turner, C Hamilton; A Wilson, D Macfadyen, J Petrie. Replacements: F Thomson, B Prescott, J Eddie, J Beattie, J Barclay, C Howarth, S Davey.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, J Bell, A Maxwell; D Humphreys, I Boss; B Young, R Best, S Best (capt); J Harrison, M McCullough; N Best, S Ferris, R Wilson. Replacements: N Brady, J Fitzpatrick, R Caldwell, N McMillan, K Campbell, A Larkin, J Topping.

Referee: Tim Hayes (Wales).

Leading points scorers: Glasgow - Dan Parks 84. Ulster - David Humphreys 162.

Leading try scorers: Glasgow - Rory Lamont 4. Ulster - Tommy Bowe 7.

Verdict: Ulster to win.

Glasgow v Ulster Firhill, today Kick-off - 5.30pm

On TV - Setanta Sports

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer