Team News:The chances of Ulster winning the Magners Celtic League may have all but disappeared after last Friday's defeat to Cardiff but Mark McCall's men are still determined to finish the season on a high with upcoming home fixtures against Glasgow and Edinburgh.
McCall has made just one change for this Friday night's game against Glasgow at Ravenhill (7.30pm). With Rory Best fully recovered from a neck injury he steps in for Paul Shields at hooker while David Humphreys returns to the bench.
Number eight Roger Wilson is set to make his 100th cap for the province on Friday.
"The title looks as if it is gone, but what we did say was that we wanted to go out and produce two big performances at Ravenhill," said Ulster captain Simon Best this week.
"It is has been a rollercoaster year and now it is important to finish the season well to carry it on into next year.
"We also want to give the Ravenhill crowd a send-off as well. There are a lot of guys feeling pretty disappointed but I don't think we will be short of any motivation going to Ravenhill for two more games."
McCall has yet to name his replacement hooker but will do so later in the week.
Provincial opponents and league leaders Leinster find themselves on 55 points after 17 games, while Ulster are four points adrift in second having played one more game.
Today Leinster coach Michael Cheika included Ireland under-20 internationals Paul O'Donohoe and Cian Healy in an extended 27-man squad for Friday night's clash with title rivals Ospreys, who are fourth (46) but have two games in hand, including tonight's trip to Llanelli.
O'Donohoe, who played a major role in Ireland's Grand Slam winning under-20s side earlier this season, is involved in the senior squad for the first time and will provide cover for Guy Easterby who is still carrying an injury.
"Guy Easterby has a 50/50 chance of playing," noted Cheika. "You could almost describe it as a miracle recovery. Bernard Jackman has been suffering from a pinched nerve in his neck but he will be in the 22 this week.
"Ronan (McCormack) won't play again this season which is very frustrating for the player because he has certainly developed this year. I wouldn't be 100 per cent sure if he requires surgery.
"We're not going to take any chances with Brian (O'Driscoll) but we're hopeful that he will be back before the end of the season," added the coach, who is under no illusions that the new recruits could potentially face a tough introduction in Wales.
"Cian had a good look at the competitive level that is required over in the Dragons and there's no better away game to learn than in that intimidating atmosphere. He wants to be involved and he's pretty keen to get some game time.
"Paul is a player we see a good future for. He has a lot of work to do but we're very much looking forward to giving him an opportunity at some stage."
Cheika, fully aware that the result in Swansea could determine the destination of this year's silverware, will name his starting line-up on Thursday afternoon.
Ulster:Bryn Cunningham; Tommy Bowe; Andrew
Trimble; Paul Steinmetz ; Andrew Maxwell; Paddy Wallace; Isaac
Boss; Bryan Young; Rory Best; Simon Best; Justin Harrison; Ryan
Caldwell; Stephen Ferris; Neil Best; Roger Wilson
Replacements:AN Other; Justin Fitzpatrick; Tim
Barker; Neil McMillan; Kieran Campbell; David Humphreys; Paul
McKenzie
Leinster squad:Reggie Corrigan, Will Green, Cian Healy, Stan Wright, Brian Blaney, Bernard Jackman, Owen Finegan, Trevor Hogan, Malcolm O'Kelly, Cameron Jowitt, Stephen Keogh, Keith Gleeson, Jamie Heaslip, Kevin McLaughlin; Guy Easterby, Paul O'Donohoe, Chris Whitaker, Felipe Contepomi, Jonathan Sexton, Gordon D'Arcy, Kieran Lewis, Christian Warner, Luke Fitzgerald, Denis Hickie, Shane Horgan, Girvan Dempsey, Rob Kearney
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IMNWKIX5DFFCFE5CD5NLBU6EVY.png)