Celtic League PreviewMark McCall's charges take their bow in this season's Celtic League in Cardiff tonight with points already tucked in their back pocket. Under new rules this season a team that doesn't play - Ulster had no fixture on the opening weekend - is awarded four points.
Fullback Bryn Cunningham hasn't recovered from a shoulder injury sustained against Rotherham and misses this match. Paddy Wallace reverts to a role which he is familiar with while promising under-21 international Andrew Trimble will earn his first Ulster cap - they are not awarded for friendlies - on the wing.
Although he would prefer the centre Trimble won't be discommoded by his new role. Justin Fitzpatrick and Justin Harrison are named in the pack with Neil McMillan at openside. Rod Moore is still absent because of injury.
Rory Best, a brother of captain Simon, and Ulster under-21 scrumhalf Paul Marshall are included among the replacements ahead of Nigel Brady and Reece Spee respectively who play for Ulster A this weekend in Barcelona.
McCall is optimistic ahead of tonight's game. "The summer has gone very well. This time last year we only had 22 fit players to put on the pitch. Confidence and self-belief come from preparing well and looking at your opposition carefully and Cardiff are a side we know very well. Cardiff should have won last weekend against Connacht and are still a very good side."
The Ulster coach's appraisal of last week's game would be shared by his Cardiff counterpart, Dai Young, the latter claiming his team should have won by 25 to 30 points. The Welsh side have been pretty bullish about their chances this season but have yet to add substance to that bluster.
Craig Quinnell is included in the secondrow, one of two changes to the pack and the team. They'll be keen to atone for last week's slip-up but this young Ulster side won't be cowed by tonight's challenge. If they can settle into an early rhythm, they are certainly good enough.
CARDIFF BLUES: N Macleod; C Czekaj, R Williams (capt), T Davies, C Morgan; N Robinson, M Phillips; J Yapp, TR Thomas, M Jones; C Quinnell, R Sidoli; M Molitika, R Sowden-Taylor, A Powell. Replacements: B Evans, G Williams, D Jones, M Lewis, R Powell, L Thomas, M Nuthall.
ULSTER: P Wallace; T Bowe, K Maggs, P Steinmetz, A Trimble; D Humphreys, K Campbell; J Fitzpatrick, P Shields, S Best (capt); J Harrison, M McCullough; N Best, N McMillan, R Wilson Replacements: R Best, B Young, R Frost, C Feather, P Marshall, J Bell, J Topping.
Referee: R Dickson (Scotland).
HEAD TO HEAD
October 2003 (CL) at Ravenhill: Ulster 32 Cardiff Blues 7.
April 2004 (CL) at Arms Park: Cardiff Blues 19 Ulster 15.
October 2004 (EC) at Ravenhill: Ulster 21 Cardiff Blues 16.
November 2004 (CL) at Ravenhill: Ulster 30 Cardiff Blues 14.
January 2005 (EC) at Arms Park: Cardiff Blues 16 Ulster 12.
April 2005 (CL) at Arms Park: Cardiff Blues 22 Ulster 8.
Verdict: Ulster to win.
Cardiff Blues v Ulster
Arms Park, 7.10
On TV: Setanta Sports
