Nothing but pride for Ulster and Blues

Welsh underperformers Cardiff Blues are right out of it in Pool 6 of the Heineken Cup. Ulster, too, have really only pride to play for. They meet at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday.

When the two teams met at Ravenhill in Round 1, Ulster won 21-16.

Rhys Williams is injured. Lee Thomas comes into the squad in his place. Ryan Powell and Craig Quinnell are still recovering from injury.

Ulster coach Mark McCall has made six changes to the team which beat Gloucester at Ravenhill.

Andy Ward returns and takes over the captaincy at the expense of Campbell Feather who moves to the bench. Paddy Wallace goes to fullback for Bryn Cunningham whop follows Feather benchwards. Tyrone Howe is crocked and replaced by Andy Maxwell of Ballymena.

In the pack, Ronan McCormack comes into loosehead prop for Simon Best who moves lo tighthead. Rod Moore is on the bench, subject to a fitness test. To complete the front row changes Paul Shields comes off the bench to hook while Rory Best goes to the bench. Veteran Gary Longwell is out and replaced by Rowan Frost.

Teams:

Cardiff Blues:  15 Craig Morgan, 14 Jonny Vaughton, 13 Tom Shanklin (capt), 12 Tristan Davies, 11 Freddie Tuilagi, 10 Nick MacLeod, 9 Richard Smith, 8 Kort Schubert, 7 Robin Sowden-Taylor,  6 Nathan Thomas, 5 Robert Sidoli, 4 Deiniol Jones, 3 Gethin Jenkins, 2 Gareth Williams, 1 John Yapp
Replacements: 16 Martin Jones, 17 Rhys Thomas, 18 Nathan Budgett, 19 Martyn Williams, 20 Dean Dewdney, 21 Lee Thomas, 22 Shaun James

Ulster: 15 Paddy Wallace, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Paul Steinmetz, 12 Kevin Maggs, 11 Andy Maxwell, 10 David Humphreys, 9 Kieran Campbell, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Neil Best, 6 Andy ward (captain), 5 Matt McCullough, 4 Rowan Frost, 3 Simon Best, 2 Paul Shields, 1 Ronan McCormack
Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Rod Moore, 18. Matt Mustchin, 19 Campbell Feather, 20 Reece Spee, 21 Adam Larkin, 22 Bryn Cunningham

Date: Sunday, 16 January 2005
Kick-off: 15.00
Venue: Cardiff Arms Park
Expected weather conditions: Overcast with a high of 10°C, dropping to 9°C and a wind of 18 km/h
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Touch judges: Jean-Christophe Gastou, Daniel Dartigeas (both France)
Match commissioner: Russell Howells (Wales)