Ulster to target depleted Scarlets

Ulster V Scarletts: Venue: Ravenhill Kick-off: 7.05pm On TV: BBC 2:DAVID HUMPHREYS understands that the next three weeks will colour the mood of his Christmas. Ulster face a depleted Scarlets tonight, but one that comes to Ravenhill with an unbeaten run in all competitions now standing at eight – a regional rugby record for the squad.

But there are few clubs that can absorb the loss of eight international players, who are with Wales for their match against Australia tomorrow.

Therein operations director Humphreys will know that with the return of key players for Ulster, combined with the five changes made to the team, the home side has a better than strong chance of creeping up the Pro12 table.

If Ulster fail tonight, a top four place will start to slide out of view (they’re nine points behind fourth- placed Glasgow) and with two Heineken Cup matches looming, their season could unravel in both competitions before a plate of turkey has been swallowed.

Stephen Ferris and Rory Best, if anything, seem to be increasingly important to the side and they come back in along with Craig Gilroy and Chris Henry, who were rested for last weekend’s defeat in Glasgow.

Humphreys and coach Brian McLaughlin also have World Cup- winning prop John Afoa back in harness. Afoa has returned from being All Black Jerome Kaino’s best man and he replaces Declan Fitzpatrick, who is injured.

Ferris and Henry join Pedrie Wannenburg in an experienced backrow, while Gilroy is named on the left wing for out of sorts Scottish international Simon Danielli. Fit again Ruan Pienaar is named on the bench.

ULSTER:A D'Arcy; A Trimble, D Cave, N Spence, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, P Marshall; T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg. Replacements: N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, L Stevenson, R Diack, R Pienaar, P Jackson, I Whitten.

SCARLETS:D Evans; V Iongi, N Reynolds, A Warren, S Lamont; S Jones (capt), G Davies; P John, K Owens, D Manu, L Reed, A Powell, M Gilbert, R McCusker, K Murphy. Replacements: E Phillips, I Thomas, S Gardiner, D Welch, J Edwards, R Williams, D Newton, I Evans.

Referee: A Rolland (IRFU).

Verdict: Ulster.