Glasgow Rugby v Ulster Hughenden 7.30Coach Alan Solomons, despite a successful year to date, is coming off Ulster's first defeat for many weeks, writes Johnny Watterson.

Connacht's victory at the Sportsground last Saturday didn't knock Ulster off the top of the Celtic League table, but it may have dented confidence going into this semi-final match.

That said, Solomons has his Irish squad members back. Simon Best and Neil Doak may be match rusty but are expected to be introduced from the bench at some stage. Tyrone Howe, though, is straight in on the wing, having undertaken no more than a spin around the world last week at the behest of Eddie O'Sullivan, while New Zealand's Paul Steinmetz makes his first start for Ulster at inside centre.

Cameron Mather is set to captain Glasgow, having landed in Scotland on Monday fresh from the World Cup. His return, with Andrew Wilson stepping down, is one of four changes from the team that lost to Celtic Warriors by 23-29 at Bridgend last Friday.

Mather's Scotland team-mate Matt Proudfoot, who has had two weeks out with a leg injury, also returns. Graeme Morrison, the Scotland under-21 centre, who was rested last week, is back, as is outhalf Daniel Parks.

At the bottom of the Celtic league after eight games, the home side will go into the game with more optimism than expectation, while Ulster, with plenty of speed out wide and a strong pack, will travel quietly confident of advancing.

GLASGOW: R Kerr; D Millard, G Maclure, G Morrison, S Lamont; D Parks, S Pinder; M Proudfoot, S Lawson, L Harrison, A Hall, N Ross, C Mather (c), D Macfadyen, P Dearlove

ULSTER: B Cunningham; J Topping, R Constable, P Steinmetz, T Howe; A Larkin, K Campbell; B Young, M Sexton, R Moore, M Mustchin, M McCullough, A Ward (c), N Best, T McWhirter.

Referee: H Watkins (Wales)