CELTIC LEAGUE TEAM NEWS

Should the Ospreys win and Munster fail to get a point from their home game against Ulster, which kicks off at the same time, then The Ospreys will be crowned champions.

However if Munster can keep up their unbeaten home record this season then the title fight will go on.

The Dragons also need a win to keep their own title hopes alive

Friday 18 March
MUNSTER v ULSTER
At Musgrave Park, 7pm live on Setanta Sports. Referee: Andy Ireland (SRU).
** PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN KICK-OFF TIME

UCC captain, Frank Murphy makes his first start of the season on Friday, Jim Williams winning his 72nd Munster cap captains the side.

Munster: Shaun Payne; John Kelly, Mike Mullins, Rob Henderson, Anthony Horgan; Paul Burke, Frank Murphy; Frank Roche, Jerry Flannery, Gordon McIlwham; Trevor Hogan, Tom Bowman; Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Jim Williams (capt).
Replacements: James Blaney, Eugene McGovern, Tom Hayes, Stephen Keogh, Mike Prendergast, Jason Holland, Paul Devlin.

Mark McCall has named the Ulster starting side:
15 – Bryn Cunningham; 14 – Tommy Bowe; 13 – Seamus Mallon; 12 – Paul Steinmetz; 11 – Tyrone Howe; 10 – Adam Larkin; 9 – Kieran Campbell; 1 – Ronan McCormack; 2 – Paul Shields; 3 – Rod Moore; 4 – Gary Longwell; 5 – Matt McCullough; 6 – Andy Ward; 7 – Neil Best; 8 – Roger Wilson
 
Replacements: 16 – Nigel Brady; 17 – Bryan Young; 18 – Tim Barker; 19 – Campbell Feather; 20 – Neil Doak; 21 – Scott Young; 22 – Shane Stewart

Friday 18 March
NEATH-SWANSEA OSPREYS v NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS At St Helen’s, 7.05pm live on BBC Wales. Referee: Olan Trevor (IRFU).

Newport Gwent Dragons will not finalise their back line for Friday night’s Celtic League with the Ospreys until just before kick off. Eight backs are named as The Dragons wait on the last minute fitness of players.

Backs From: Percy Montgomery, Gareth Wyatt, Steve Winn, Sione Tuipulotu, Nathan Brew, Ben Breeze, Craig Warlow, Gareth Baber.
Rod Snow, James Richards, Chris Anthony; Ian Gough, Peter Sidoli; Jamie Ringer, Jason Forster (c), Rhys Oakley
Replacements: Gethin Robinson, Adam Black, Rhys Thomas, Luke Charteris, Matthew Veater, Daniel Griffiths, Jonathan Bryant

With six players unavailable due to Wales team commitments. (Shane Williams, Sonny Parker, Gavin Henson, Ryan Jones, Brent Cockbain and Adam
Jones) and Huw Bennett out with a neck injury LynJones has named a 23 man squad for the Ospreys.

Backs: Adrian Durston, Stefan Terblanche, Sonny Parker, David Bishop, Dave Tiueti, Elvis Seveali’i, Richard Mustoe, Sean Connor, Richard Rees, Jason Spice Forwards:Paul James, Duncan Jones, Barry Williams (Captain), Richard Hibbard, Andrew Millward, Luke Tait, Lyndon Bateman, Andrew Newman, Nathan Bonner-Evans, James Bater, Andy Lloyd, Steve Tandy, Richard Pugh