Much at stake for league leaders

Ulster v Connacht: Eventually Munster are going to get their act together in the Celtic League. Probably in the not-too-distant future.

This will, in all likelihood, be detrimental to Connacht's European aspirations, but closing the 14-point gap on title chasers Ulster seems a bridge too far, even for Declan Kidney's miracle workers.

Tuesday's game at Ravenhill carries added resonance when one considers what's coming in the following five days.

Ulster will be keen to carry some momentum into their attempt to spoil Leinster's New Year's Eve farewell party at Lansdowne Road, while Connacht are just a point clear of Munster, having played an extra game.

In short, plenty of familiarity should breed plenty of determination, starting with this evening's encounter in east Belfast and followed by Munster's trip to the Sportsground on December 31st.

Some residue may remain from the sides' October encounter in Galway, which Ulster won 24-17 after leading 24-0. Connacht could have won the game if not for three sinbinnings.

Another noticeable advantage this week that gives Connacht a smidgen of hope is that many of Ulster's players have been under the gaze of Eddie O'Sullivan at warm-weather training in Portugal last week.

Wing Tommy Bowe returns from a back injury and is presented with an opportunity to arrest or even reverse his slide down the pecking order.

For Connacht, John Hearty comes in ahead of Conor McPhilips, while Ray Ofisa and Conor O'Loughlin also return. Colm Rigney, Adrian Flavin and Darren Yapp are selected but carry slight niggles. Matt Mostyn remains a significant absentee through injury.

Despite a better week of preparation for Michael Bradley's squad, the smart money is overwhelmingly stacked on Ulster, who are near invincible at Ravenhill, and despite the exodus of players to international training, leaders like David Humphreys and Justin Harrison have been ever present throughout the disruption.

Ulster will also look to add a bonus point, something they narrowly failed to achieve at the Sportsground. With their Heineken European Cup quarter-final aspirations now in tatters, retaining the league title becomes paramount for a successful season. The derby atmosphere should merely galvanise them further.

Ulster squad: Kieran Campbell, Isaac Boss, David Humphreys, Paddy Wallace, Kevin Maggs, Paul Steinmetz, Andrew Trimble, Paul McKenzie, Mark Bartholomeusz, Bryn Cunningham, Tommy Bowe, Simon Best, Bryan Young, Justin Fitzpatrick, Rory Best, Paul Shields, Justin Harrison, Matt McCullough, Tim Barker, Roger Wilson, Neil Best, Kieron Dawson, Neil McMillan, Chris Henry.

Connacht squad: Andrew Farley, Adrian Flavin, John Fogarty, David Gannon, John Hearty, Chris Keane, Stephen Knoop, Matt Lacey, Mark McHugh, Keith Matthews, John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, Conor O'Loughlin, Colm Rigney, Daniel Riordan, Ted Robinson, Brett Sturgess, Michael Swift, Paul Warwick, Brett Wilkinson, Gavin Williams, Darren Yapp.