Cardiff v Ulster: Gary Longwell won't be in the Principality tomorrow but he will be able to celebrate irrespective of the result. The Ulster and Ireland second row has belatedly discovered he is the 'lucky 13th' player to receive an award for reaching the 50-game mark in the Heineken European Cup.
The 33-year-old, who played in all nine matches when Ulster lifted the European title in 1999, completed his half-century in the victory over Gloucester at Ravenhill last Friday. Longwell becomes the 10th forward to earn a special ERC cap and is the seventh Irish player to reach the landmark. Ulster are one of only four sides to have played in every season of the European Cup since it was set up in the 1995-96 season.
Ulster coach Mark McCall, who played alongside Longwell in the inaugural season, presented the ERC Elite Award cap to his stalwart second row at Ravenhill yesterday. "It's great for Gary and for Ulster and it is a great achievement for any player to complete 50 appearances in the European Cup.
"Gary was convinced he had reached the landmark much earlier in the season, and that he had gone on to play 52 matches, so we asked ERC to comb through the record books with officials at the Ulster Branch. The first thing they discovered was Gary hadn't actually made 52 appearances."
What did come to light though was a discrepancy pertaining to Ulster's second game in the European Cup, when they faced Begles-Bordeaux at Ravenhill on Sunday, December 17th, 1995. Jeremy Davidson was selected alongside Davy Tweed in the second row, but Longwell was actually drafted in at the last minute when Davidson pulled out through injury.
It appears ERC weren't notified about the late alteration and in the official records Longwell was one shy of the actual number of appearances made. The Ulster Branch contacted the player to clarify the matter and he was able to produce the jersey he had worn in the match to provide conclusive proof.
Of greater import for Ulster coach McCall will be trying to ensure that his team, while not able to qualify for the quarter-finals, finish the tournament in a positive manner. Given the Irish province are due to play Celtic League leaders Neath/Swansea Ospreys five days later, McCall was always going to have to find a compromise to selection issues.
Paddy Wallace starts at fullback in place of Bryn Cunningham while up front, new Ireland squad member Ronan McCormack and Paul Shields come into the front row with Simon Best switching to tighthead prop.
Rowan Frost comes into the second row with Andy Ward, who will captain the side, named at blindside flanker. One interesting inclusion on the bench is New Zealand-born scrumhalf Reece Spee.
Cardiff have lost all five matches in the tournament to date and have been beset by injuries. Coach Dai Young would dearly wish to avoid a whitewash in the pool, so the decision to leave Martyn Williams on the bench is a little surprising.
Ulster's performances in recent weeks have demonstrated character and flashes of ability. They need to retain the former while showing more sustained periods of enterprise in these matches. To this end David Humphreys remains a core performer. It was his vision that ultimately unlocked Gloucester last time out and the visitors will want him at his imperious best.
Wallace must wonder how fate can be so cruel given the inordinate amount of injuries he has suffered. Playing full back won't get him to the international stage but at the moment being on the pitch is all that matters. Paul Steinmetz's form has been a big factor in Ulster's revival, so, too, that of young second row Matt McCullough and flanker Neil Best.
Ulster are good enough to make it four wins from six in the tournament and that should be reflected on the scoreboard.
CARDIFF: C Morgan; J Vaughton, T Shanklin (capt), T Davies, F Tuilagi; N MacLeod, R Smith; J Yapp, G Williams, G Jenkins; D Jones, R Sidoli; N Thomas, K Schubert, R Sowden-Taylor. Replacements: M Jones, R Thomas, N Budgett, M Williams, D Dewdney, L Thomas, S James.
ULSTER: P Wallace; T Bowe, P Steinmetz, K Maggs, T Howe; D Humphreys, K Campbell; R McCormack, P Shields, S Best; R Frost, M McCullough; A Ward (capt), R Wilson, N Best. Replacements: R Best, R Moore, M Mustchin, C Feather, R Spee, A Larkin, B Cunningham.
Referee: C Berdos (France).
EC Formguide (2004-2005): Cardiff - lost to Ulster (a) 21-16; lost to Stade Français (h) 38-15; lost to Gloucester (a) 23-19; lost to Gloucester (h) 23-16; lost to Stade Français (a) 35-16. Ulster - bt Cardiff (h) 21-16; lost to Gloucester (a) 55-13; lost to Stade Français (a) 30-10; bt Stade Français (h) 18-10; bt Gloucester (h) 14-12.
Previous meetings (EC 2004-2005): Ulster 21 Cardiff 16. Leading points scorers (EC 2004-2005): Cardiff - Lee Thomas 41; Ulster - David Humphreys 61. Leading try scorers (EC 2004-2005): Cardiff - Dean Dewdney 2; Ulster - David Humphreys 2.
Verdict: Ulster.
