The Newport Gwent Dragons have decided to drop their complaint against Ulster following allegations that two of their players were racially abused at Ravenhill during a recent Magners Celtic League fixture.

The Welsh club communicated their displeasure to Ulster, initially verbally and then through a letter of complaint, and the Irish province undertook to investigate the matter fully, which they have done.

A statement issued yesterday on behalf of the Celtic League read: "Ulster Rugby has confirmed to both Newport Gwent Dragons and Celtic Rugby that they have thoroughly investigated this matter and have not been able to substantiate the claims made.

"Ulster Rugby acknowledges that there is no place whatsoever in our game for racial abuse or abuse of any kind and have taken the allegations made very seriously.

"This has included reviewing all available television, video and CCTV footage; obtaining reports from the referee; conducting interviews with touch judges, event management staff and stewards, members of the Ulster Rugby Supporters Club, members of the Ulster match team and medical staff, and the PSNI officer in charge of the venue. Ulster Rugby has reported that these inquiries have not been able to substantiate the claims made."

Ulster went on to point out that they "do have chants that could be misheard." They added further, that they have stewarding levels well in excess of the minimum laid down by the "Green Guide" and that they will be increasing them further.

The statement continued: "Newport Gwent Dragons have acknowledged and thanked Ulster Rugby for the seriousness in which they have viewed this matter and the efforts to investigate the claims made.

"Newport Gwent Dragons have confirmed that, while standing by the claim of their player, that they are satisfied with Ulster Rugby's response and that they now consider the matter closed. As Newport Gwent Dragons has not made a formal approach to Celtic Rugby to intervene in this matter, and since Newport Gwent Dragons have confirmed to Celtic Rugby that they are satisfied with Ulster Rugby's reply, Celtic Rugby considers that the matter has been satisfactorily dealt with by the teams concerned."

Meanwhile, Ulster coach Mark McCall will confirm his team for Saturday's Celtic League game against the Llanelli Scarlets today and should be able to call upon Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble, Neil Best, Simon Best and Isaac Boss, all of whom came on in Ireland's win over England at Croke Park last weekend.

The Scarlets have made five changes as well as three positional switches from their last game. Matthew Watkins moves to the left wing from midfield, Darren Daniel moves to the opposite wing, while captain James Bates goes from openside flanker to blindside to allow Gavin Thomas to return. Morgan Stoddart replaces Barry Davies at fullback and in the forwards Deacon Manu, Vernon Cooper and Nathan Thomas are the new faces.

Munster play the first of two remaining games prior to their Heineken European Cup quarter-final clash with Llanelli when they host the Cardiff Blues at Musgrave Park on Friday night. Trevor Halstead, John Kelly and John O'Sullivan all return to the squad following injury.

Munster have won five of their last six matches in the Celtic League since early November, including a couple of wins over Friday's opponents Cardiff in the European Cup. There is a little bit of history as Munster flanker Alan Quinlan was cited for a stamping incident during the game and subsequently suspended. The Tipperary flanker has served his ban.

Cardiff have lost their last four away matches in the Celtic League although they did beat Munster in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season. Munster supporters are advised to purchase their tickets for the game prior to the day itself. A Branch spokesperson has advised that because of demand over the past number of days, tickets may not be on sale on Friday evening.

Leinster will confirm today that they have arranged a friendly fixture against Italian side Benetton Treviso for Wednesday, March 14th at Donnybrook (6.30). The Irish province doesn't have another competitive fixture until late next month when they face Connacht, a week prior to their European Cup quarter-final against Wasps.

Meanwhile, former Leinster secondrow Ben Gissing has joined Edinburgh on a two-year deal. The New Zealand-born, Ireland A international played in Dublin for four years, scoring 10 tries in 73 matches before leaving for Italian side Calvisano last summer.

Connacht will confirm their team for Friday's game against the Borders at the Sportsground tomorrow.

MUNSTER (squad): C Cullen, S Payne, I Dowling, J Kelly, B Murphy, L Mafi, T Halstead, E Hickey, J Manning, B O'Meara, T O'Leary, T Buckley, F Pucciariello, D Hurley, F Sheahan, J Flannery, M O'Driscoll, C Wyatt, D Ryan, M Melbourne, J O'Sullivan, A Quinlan, T McGann.

LLANELLI: M Stoddart; D Daniel, R King, G Evans, M Wattkins; C Thomas, L Davies; I Thomas, A Gravelle, D Manu; V Cooper, S MacLeod; J Bater (capt), G Thomas, N Thomas. Replacements: J Davies, K Owens, I Afeaki, A Jones, D Jones, C Stuart-Smith, B Davies.