Ulster v Munster:A fixture that might not have carried its recent lustre is given added intrigue by the presence of Matt Williams in the stands and Doug Howlett on the pitch at Ravenhill tonight.
Ulster's head-coach-in-waiting will assume merely a watching brief, but it will be surprising if the home players are not motivated by the knowledge the new man is looking on.
They have been a disparate group even before Mark McCall's honourable decision to resign in the wake of the 32-14 hammering at home to Gloucester in the Heineken European Cup on November 9th, the lack of unity and confidence palpable in a run of one win in their last dozen matches.
Apparently, 18 of the Ulster squad are out of contract at the end of the season, and on current form the best chance of remaining in the frontline for the majority will be with Ulster.
Howlett's selection on the bench ought also to put a spring in the step of the Munster outside three, and the All Blacks' record try scorer looks sure to be an outstanding acquisition, sharpening their cutting edge and increasing their capacity to score from distance.
But even Howlett's illustrious presence and probable debut are overshadowed - from an Irish perspective anyway - by the surprise inclusion of Paul O'Connell on the bench. The Ireland lock has been troubled by a disc in his neck since the World Cup.
It is a credit to Mick O'Driscoll's form that O'Connell's lengthy absence has not been nearly as keenly felt as might have been initially feared.
Indeed, up until being rested against Connacht last week, O'Driscoll had been Munster's one ever-present this season, and one would venture Munster would be content just to have O'Connell back on the bench for next week's imposing European Cup trek to Clermont Auvergne.
His recall is one of 10 changes to the team that beat Connacht 17-0 and took Munster to within three points of leaders Leinster. The one positional change sees Donnacha Ryan move from lock to the back row to partner David Wallace and Anthony Foley as Denis Leamy is rested.
Marcus Horan (who would need to be on his best behaviour after a rash of yellow cards), Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Ronan O'Gara, Rua Tipoki and Shaun Payne are recalled, while Anthony Horgan (at left wing) and Tomás O'Leary (on the bench) return for the first time (from injury and pneumonia) since the defeat to Wasps at the Ricoh Stadium on November 10th.
Whereas Declan Kidney rings changes from a position of strength and possesses a far more identifiable and proven first-choice XV, come kick-off the stand-in Ulster coach, Steve Williams, will have started 27 players in his seven games in charge.
A debilitating list of injuries has contributed, but this will be his fourth front-row combination in four games; his fourth second-row permutation in five games; ditto the back row; his third halfback pairing in three games, and likewise in midfield.
Nonetheless, the selection of Paul Marshall for only his second full cap looks like a gamble worth taking. The 21-year-old Belfast Harlequins scrumhalf is a lively player with a quick pass and plenty of self-belief. Having the fit-again David Humphreys outside in what could be his last set-to with O'Gara makes sense.
But, of course, their lack of punch in the tight five has been one of Ulster's main problems and their pack has a callow look now, with only Carlo Del Fava, Justin Fitzpatrick and Neil Best providing any real experience and leadership, and Best too has been walking a disciplinary tightrope of late.
Munster look to have the better lineout, maul and go-forward potential, especially when it comes to finishing in the red zone, but, for a variety of reasons in front of another big Ravenhill crowd, Ulster are liable to defy the evidence of the table for long stretches.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, P Wallace, S Danielli; D Humphreys, P Marshall; J Fitzpatrick, N Brady, D Fitzpatrick; C Del Fava(capt), R Caldwell; M McCullough, N Best, G Webb. Replacements: B Young, S Philpott, J Harrison, D Pollock, M McCrea, I Boss, N O'Connor.
MUNSTER: Shaun Payne; B Carney, R Tipoki, L Mafi, A Horgan; R O'Gara (capt), P Stringer; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; D Ryan, D Wallace, A Foley. Replacements: F Sheahan, T Buckley, P O'Connell, N Ronan, T O'Leary, P Warwick, D Howlett.
Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU).
Last five meetings: (04-05) Munster 21 Ulster 15; (05-06) Munster 17 Ulster 20; Ulster 27 Munster 3; (06-07) Munster 21 Ulster 13; Ulster 21 Munster 24.
Five-game league formguide: Ulster - D L W L L. Munster - W W L W W.
Leading try scorers: Ulster - T Bowe 2. Munster - P Warwick, B Carney, D Leamy 2 each.
Leading scorers: Ulster - P Wallace 27. Munster - P Warwick 72.
Forecast: Munster to win.
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