Celtic League: Munster v Ulster

Munster’s John Kelly is pictured trying to stop Ulster number eight Roger Wilson in his tracks last March. Both players scored a try in the 21-15 Celtic League win for Munster.

CELTIC LEAGUE: Saturday, December 3

Munster v Ulster, Musgrave Park, 7.10pm (live Setanta Sports)

2005/06: CL Positions: Munster: 1st, Ulster: 3rd; CL Form: Munster: WWLWWWW(Free Wk)W; Ulster: W(Free Wk)WWWLWWL.

CL Top Points Scorers: Munster: Ronan O’Gara, Paul Burke both 41; Ulster: David Humphreys 69; Top Try Scorers: Munster: Gary Connolly, Marcus Horan, Anthony Horgan, John Kelly all 2; Ulster: Neil Best 4.

Recent Meetings: 2001 – Celtic League Semi-final: Munster 15 Ulster 9, Lansdowne Road; 2002 – Interprovincial Championship: Ulster 23 Munster 18, Ravenhill; 2002/03 – Celtic League: Ulster 26 Munster 17, Ravenhill; Celtic League Semi-final: Munster 42 Ulster 10, Thomond Park; 2003/04 – Celtic League: Munster 15 Ulster 16, Musgrave Park; Ulster 36 Munster 13, Ravenhill; 2004/05 – Celtic League: Ulster 3 Munster 24, Ravenhill; Munster 21 Ulster 15, Musgrave Park.

Celtic League Odds: Munster 10/11, Ulster 6/1 (Paddy Power).

MUNSTER: Jeremy Manning; Anton Pitout, Gary Connolly, Trevor Halstead, Anthony Horgan; Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer; Frank Roche, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll, Denis Leamy, David Wallace, Anthony Foley (Capt).

Replacements: Marcus Horan, Denis Fogarty, Trevor Hogan, Stephen Keogh, Tomas O’Leary, Barry Murphy, Mossy Lawlor.

ULSTER Squad: Forwards (12): Simon Best (capt), Bryan Young, Rod Moore, Rory Best, Nigel Brady, Justin Harrison, Matt McCullough, Ryan Caldwell, Neil Best, Neil McMillan, Roger Wilson, Stephen Ferris.

Backs (10): Isaac Boss, Kieran Campbell, David Humphreys, Adam Larkin, Paul Steinmetz, Kevin Maggs, Andrew Trimble, James Topping, Tommy Bowe, Bryn Cunningham.

Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU); Touch Judges: Alan Rogan, John Carvill (both IRFU).