MAGNERS LEAGUE: WE HAVE been told, somewhat disbelievingly, that Connacht have not won in Belfast for 48 years. But the way Ulster have been looking over their last three matches, smart money would say that trend is set to last as Michael Bradley's Connacht side arrive in Ravenhill for Friday night's Magners League clash.
Ulster are on something of a rise at the moment, having won their last three games against Munster, Portugal and last week, Cardiff Blues A and for a team whose fortunes have not soared too high in recent seasons those three wins will be seen as a streak around south west Belfast.
But given that coach Matt Williams has not had his modest Irish contingent for the last month, his Ulster side is certain to change for the meeting, with flanker Stephen Ferris back in the squad after an impressive time in Croke Park, as well as hooker Rory Best and utility back Paddy Wallace. Scottish international Simon Danielli is also in contention, having returned to fitness following a knee injury picked up pre-season.
Williams has selected a 26-man squad, which will be whittled down to the match 22 tomorrow. There are only three points separating the teams, with Connacht propping up the bottom.
Friday night's duel will have similar reverberations to the same matches played last year between the two provinces as the Irish team that finishes fourth in the league is again condemned for another season not to play in the Heineken Cup.
Since that ruling came in, the losers have always been Connacht but certainly Bradley and Williams, whatever their misgivings about looking further than one match at a time, will, in the light of 2009 Heineken Cup qualification, see this as a double point game.
"We have a lot of respect for Connacht," said Williams. "They are a good side and play a hard game of rugby but we are more determined than ever and we are going out to win. We have performed well in our last few games; we won our last two Magners League games and beat a spirited Munster side.
"We will not hide from this Connacht side. The guys are hungry to play and continue on from the Munster and Portugal games and we hope that the Ulster rugby public know how much this game means to us."
It's typical fighting talk for the effervescent Williams, who by now will have been told that Connacht's last win over Ulster was 22-12 on New Year's Eve 2005 at the Sportsground, while Connacht have not won in Belfast since a 6-3 victory in November 16th, 1960, in the then interprovincial championship.
Bradley's side is bidding for what would be their third win of the campaign and if they pulled it off, would allow them climb above Ulster in the table. The coach is expected to announce his squad today before the starting 15 is confirmed tomorrow.
That leaves Ulster waiting to see if they are to face a former Ravenhill stalwart, the three times capped Ireland and former Ulster scrumhalf Kieron Campbell. Campbell signed a two-year contract earlier this year, having played for Ulster since the 2001 season.
Connacht's new centre signing, Niva Ta'auso, may also announce himself on the Ravenhill Road stage. The 28-year-old recently arrived in Galway after completing his duties with Counties Manukau in New Zealand. The Samoan was capped by the Junior All-Blacks two years ago and is an experienced performer, having previously played with the Waikato Chiefs before joining the Otago Highlanders in 2007.
ULSTER: Forwards- J Fitzpatrick, R Best, N Brady, T Court, E O'Donoghue, R Caldwell, M McCullough, K Dawson, R Diak, S Ferris, D Pollack, T Anderson. Backs- N O'Connor, B Cunningham, T Nagusa, D Cave, A Trimble, I Whitten, C Willis, I Boss, P Steinmetz, I Humphreys, M McCrea P Wallace, S Danielli.
