Ulster ready to face Munster challenge

An unchanged Ulster side will take on Munster in the all Ireland Celtic League semi-final clash at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

And despite finding his team labelled as underdogs, coach Alan Solomons maintains the White Knights are "relishing the challenge" at Lansdowne Road on Saturday afternoon.

"Munster have proved themselves to be one of the top sides in Europe," Solomons said of last year’s European Cup semi-finalists. "You just have to look at their performances in the European Cup."

"They also have a large contingent on the Ireland team - understandably so - and they’ll obviously go into the game as favourites."

But Ulster, European Cup winners just three seasons ago, have appeared rejuvenated this campaign. Out-half David Humphreys is in the best form of his career and captain, Andy Ward, has been inspirational.

"They [Munster] are favourites, sure, but that doesn’t mean to say that we don’t have a prospect of beating them," explained the Ulster coach. "We’re relishing the challenge."

"The boys know what has to be done and they’re all ready."

With winger James Topping still nursing the groin injury which kept him out of the Neath game, and looks likely to keep him sidelined until the New Year, Ulster keep faith with Sheldon Coulter.

Coulter, taken off himself last Friday with ankle damage, has trained with the team this week and retains his position on the left wing.

The only change to the Ulster squad comes on the bench with Jeremy Davidson, who was introduced as a late substitute in the Neath game, not being judged ready by the Ulster coach. Davidson, who Solomons describes as "still not 100 per cent comfortable" is replaced by Paddy Johns.

Munster coach Declan Kidney has been forced to make five changes to his side.

Peter Stringer is fit again but John Hayes has not recovered in time from his shoulder injury. Peter Clohessy will play at tight head prop with Marcus Horan filling the loose head berth.

Paul O’Connell replaces Mick O’Driscoll in the second row while Rob Henderson misses out with a knee injury. John Kelly will fill the number 14 shirt.

Ulster: P Wallace, S Coulter, A Larkin, J Bell, T Howe, D Humphreys (v. capt), N Doak, J Fitzpatrick, P Shields, S Best, M Blair, G Longwell, T McWhirter, A Ward (capt), R Nelson

Replacements: M Crick, C Boyd, N McMillan, P Johns, K Campbell, R Constable, B Cunningham

Munster:Crotty: Kelly, Holland, Mullins, Horgan: O'Gara, Stringer: Horan, Sheahan, Clohessy: Galwey (C), O'Connell: Williams, Quinlan, Foley.