CAVE IS POISED TO MAKE ULSTER RETURN
RETURN: Ulster's Darren Cave
ULSTER remained hopeful that centre Darren Cave will be fit enough to make the matchday panel to face Cardiff Blues in the Welsh capital on Friday night as the Province look to continue their climb up the PRO12 table and inch closer to the top four slots.
And it was also expected that fellow centre, Paddy Wallace, backrow, Chris Henry and prop, Tom Court, would also be on the plane to Wales even though they were due to be involved in a 30-man Ireland training camp this week.
Ireland were expected to release everyone, bar those named in the starting XV, to face France last weekend, to their Provinces for the PRO12 matches.
Court may still be retained given his importance to the Irish squad - being able to play on both sides of the front row.
However, the return of Wallace, Henry and Cave, who last played against Leicester Tigers in the Heineken Cup when he picked up an injury would be a huge boost for head coach, Brian McLaughlin who will name his provisional panel for the game this lunchtime.
Henry and Wallace would not only bring experience to the team, but additional leadership, which will be crucial against the Blues, who are currently a point behind Ulster in sixth place but have a crucial game in hand.
Ulster captain, Johann Muller, who suffered a minor tear to his calf muscle last week in training, will definitely miss this weekend’s game and it was still unclear if he would play in the home game against Ospreys next week.
The bonus point securing 30-12 win over Dragons last Friday at Ravenhill came after a gritty and determined display from Ulster and pushed them up one place in the standings.
They are now within striking distance of the top four with their next two games being vital as they face opposition also challenging for a top four place and the chance to make the play-offs for the PRO12 title.
McLaughlin said: “Cardiff will present a stiff challenge and we need to improve on some aspects of our game, especially finishing our opportunities.”
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
