News
Preview: Ulster v Scarlets
December 04 2008
Scarlets boss Nigel Davies has called for a big performance on Friday as his side travel to Ravenhill to take on Ulster in Pool Four.
The Scarlets must win on Friday, preferably with a bonus point, to keep their Heineken Cup hopes alive, and the size of the task has not been lost on Davies.
"Friday's game is a massive one for us," Davies said.
"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? There's no doubt we've got to put in a big performance on Friday, we're a very proud team and we're not going to hide from putting in that performance. We'll fight all the way."
Davies has the luxury of welcoming back Welsh internationals Dafydd Jones, Mark Jones, Stephen Jones and Matthew Rees. Also back in the fold is new Wales scrum-half Martin Roberts and Wales full-back Morgan Stoddart.
It's great to have them back," Davies said of his Test players.
"They've returned buoyed by last weekend's success and they're our most experienced, talented players so to have them all back in the group is brilliant. They've added a lot to everything we've done this week."
Meanwhile, Ulster coach Matt Williams named a virtually unchanged side from that which thrashed connacht last weekend.
With Fijian International Timoci Nagusa ruled out with a hamstring injury, Scottish International Simon Danielli starts for Ulster.
Andrew Trimble returns to the starting line-up and starts on the left wing in place of Mark McCrea who drops to the bench. The forward pack remains unchanged.
Form: The Scarlets come into this game on the back of consecutive losses, including a 18-16 defeat against Munster in the first game at their new stadium Parc y Scarlets. Their last win, against Bristol, came way back on October 24. Ulster have scored over a hundred points in their last two outings, recording a 62-6 victory over Portugal, and a 53-13 win at home to Connacht.
The teams:
Ulster: 15 Bryn Cunningham, 14 Simon Danielli, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Cillian Willis, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 David Pollock, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 4 Ed O'Donoghue, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Justin Fitzpatrick,
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Tom Court, 18 Matt McCullough, 19 Kieron Dawson, 20 Isaac Boss, 21 Paul Steinmetz, 22 Mark McCrea,
Scarlets: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 Ceiron Thomas, 13 Regan King, 12 Jon Davies, 11 Mark Jones, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 David Lyons, 7 Simon Easterby (c), 6 Dafydd Jones, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Vernon Cooper, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Iestyn Thomas,
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Phil John, 18 Nathan Thomas, 19 Jon Edwards, 20 Gavin Cattle, 21 Rhys Priestland, 22 Lee Williams,
Date: Friday, December 5
Venue: Ravenhill
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Referee: Andrew Small (England)
Touch judges: David Rose (England), Rob Mullis (England)
Television match official: Brian Campsall (England)