Munster forwards key to providing home comfort

Celtic League/Previews: As Ulster prepare to face Munster tonight at Musgrave Park (7.30) coach Alan Solomons must still be a little bemused after his side's 23-23 draw in the Celtic Cup quarter-final against Leinster last Friday night.

Ulster progressed to the semi-final by virtue of a superior try count (3-2) but shouldn't have required recourse to the small print of competition legislation.

They gifted Leinster 14 points, trailed 20-7 at the interval, yet should have won pulling up. The second-half performance by a rampant pack in which every player excelled, with Matt McCullough, Roger Wilson and Neil Best particularly conspicuous, underpinned their recovery.

The quality of the back play will be a cause for concern, not least because most three-quarter line movements culminated with the ball thrown wildly into touch. Crabbing sideways and denying each other space militated against a productive return from the pack.

If Ulster are to forge a victory in Cork then this aspect of their play will have to improve appreciably. Seamus Mallon has been introduced at outside centre in place of Ryan Constable while the only other change sees Australian Rod Moore return to the front row with Bryan Young dropping to the bench.

Munster lost narrowly in Glasgow (18-14) in their cup quarter-final and have made two changes in personnel with Martin McPhail coming in on the right wing (Shaun Payne switches to full back) and Martin Cahill resuming at tighthead prop.

Despite an excellent opening weekend victory over Leinster at Donnybrook, Munster have found neither the urgency nor the consistency to continue that success, shorn by injury, Irish squad commitments and hampered by the introduction of new faces.

One positive is the return of Jeremy Staunton to his best position of outhalf. The two-year sabbatical in the number 15 jersey has left him a little rusty but he just needs to relax and trust the instinct, vision and natural ability that first thrust him into the limelight.

Munster won't be anywhere near as accommodating as Leinster were up front and will offer Ulster a much sterner test up front: this battle holds the key to the contest.

The visitors need to improve the quality of their back play, Munster to rediscover an edge to their game.

It should be close but home advantage may just sway the issue in Munster's favour.

MUNSTER: S Payne; M McPhail, M Mullins, J Jones-Hughes, M Lawlor; J Staunton, E Reddan; S Kerr, J Flannery, M Cahill; T Hogan, D Pusey; S Keogh, D Wallace, J Williams. Replacements: D Crotty, C O'Sullivan, F Murphy, C McMahon, E Halvey, J Danagher, F Roche.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; S Young, S Mallon, S Stewart, T Howe; A Larkin, K Campbell; R McCormack, P Shields, R Moore; M Mustchin, M McCullough; A Ward (capt), T McWhirter, N Best. Replacements: N Brady, B Young, R Frost, R Wilson, R Spee, R Constable, J Topping.

Referee: N Owens (Wales).

Leading points scorers (Celtic League): Munster - Jeremy Staunton 43. Ulster - Adam Larkin 35.

Leading try scorers (Celtic League): Munster - Jeremy Staunton 2. Ulster - Shane Stewart 2.

Last time out: Munster - lost 18-14 (a) to Glasgow. Ulster - drew 23-23 (h) to Leinster.

Verdict: Munster.