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Groundstaff at Ravenhill work against the elements yesterday in preparation for the game against Bath tomorrow. INPHO/Presseye/Brian Thompson
Euro Vision

Munster and Ulster name teams for Heineken cup clashes

Big weekend of European Cup action ahead for provinces.

MUNSTER HAVE NAMED their side to face Ospreys at Thomond Park on Sunday (1pm).

Tony McGahan makes just four changes from the side which saw off Toulon in round 2.

Johne Murphy is switched from inside centre to the wing berth occupied in that game by Denis Hurley.  Sam Tuitupou returns after suspension.

James Coughlan is in at blindside wing forward for Alan Quinlan, though the Tipperary man could win his 206th cap from the bench.

Tomas O’Leary starts ahead of  Peter Stringer at scrum half.

Elsewhere, the Ulster side to play Bath at Ravenhill tomorrow has also been named.

With Rory Best ruled out having sustained a fractured cheekbone during the international period, Johann Muller will captain the side.

Paddy Wallace starts at inside centre after overcoming last week’s back injury.

Nevin Spence starts at 13 for Darren Cave who has had a recurrence of his hamstring injury. Ruan Pienaar is selected at scrum-half.

The northern province, of course, have worked all week to ensure that the fixture is fulfilled in Belfast.

Pitch heaters have been in operation for the past 36 hours, while a tent has covered the playing surface. Ulster say they are confident the game will kick-off as planned at 1pm.

Ulster (v Bath in the Heineken Cup): A D’Arcy; A Trimble, Nevin Spence,  P Wallace, S Danielli; I Humphreys, R Pienaar, T Court, N Brady, BJ Botha, J Muller (captain), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg.

Replacements: 16 A Kyriacou, P McAllister, B Young,  T Barker, W Faloon, P Marshall, I Whitten, D McIlwaine

Munster (v Ospreys): P Warwick; D Howlett, K Earls, S Tuitupou, J Murphy; R O’Gara, T O’Leary; W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley; D O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll; J Coughlan, D Wallace, D Leamy capt.

Replacements: M Sherry, D Hurley, J Hayes, P O’Connell, A Quinlan, P Stringer, L Mafi, D Hurley.