Ulster Team Named for Celtic Cup Final

The first piece of domestic silverware of the season is up for grabs –
and Ulster coach Alan Solomons sends his team out in the Celtic Cup final
at Murrayfield on Saturday wary of an Edinburgh Rugby side who have hit such
a rich vein of form at just the right time.

Victories over reigning European champions Toulouse and Neath-Swansea Ospreys
have given Todd Blackadder’s team a real flyer in the Heineken Cup. “Hats
off to Edinburgh,” said Solomons, whose team gave themselves a massive
pre Celtic Cup final lift with their home Euro victory over Stade Francais.

“Edinburgh lit up the Heineken Cup with their home win over the reigning
champions Toulouse and they are bound to be brimming with confidence.

“We are four out of four against Scottish opposition this season, but
whatever we have achieved in the Celtic League and Cup to date will count for
nothing in what is bound to be a major rugby event.

“Playing the Celtic Cup final at the home of Scottish rugby is bound to
give the Edinburgh players that little bit of extra motivation.

“But there is also a huge prize on offer to my players, especially as
this title has been held in Ireland over the past two years by Leinster and
Munster. We’re not keen to see it leave Ireland and will be mounting a huge
effort at Murrayfield.

“We are reasonably happy with our game at the moment and I know there
are a number of senior players in my squad who will be able to guide the rest
of the team through the different emotions people experience in the week of
a major cup final.

“This game has all the hallmarks of being a great cup final. It could
go either way, although we’ll be doing all we can to make sure it is Ulster
who celebrate Christmas early.”

CELTIC CUP FINAL: ULSTER V EDINBURGH

Alan Solomons has named his Ulster side to face Edinburgh in the final of the
Celtic Cup this Saturday at Murrayfield. The starting XV shows two changes from
the side which defeated Stade Francais last Friday night at Ravenhill with try-scorer
Paddy Wallace assuming the full-back berth ahead of Bryn Cunningham on the bench
and Matt Mustchin replacing Gary Longwell in the second row.

Ulster Team to Face Edinburgh:

Paddy Wallace, 14 – James Topping, 13 – Shane Stewart, 12 – Paul Steinmetz,
11 – Tyrone Howe, 10 – David Humphreys, 9 – Neil Doak, 1 – Robbie Kempson, 2
– Matt Sexton, 3 – Simon Best, 4 – Rowan Frost, 5 – Matt Mustchin, 6 – Andy
Ward (Captain), 7 – Neil Best, 8 – Roger Wilson

Replacements: 16 – Paul Shields, 17 – Rod Moore, 18 – Matt McCullough,
19 – Tony McWhirter, 20 – Kieran Campbell, 21 – Adam Larkin, 22 – Bryn Cunningham.