Ravenhill marks the first of the Harry Williams farewells tonight when the White Knights will no doubt endeavour to give him a fitting Interprovincial finale by nailing down second place for the third year running.
Conscious of copper-fastening guaranteed entry into next season's Heineken Cup, second place had been Williams' primary target at the outset of the season. With what looks the easier task on paper, compared to Leinster's visit of the champions, and with a marginal points difference already in their favour, Ulster are well placed to achieve just that.
Ravenhill has proved a daunting and unrewarding venue for Connacht, whose last win there was in 1960. Nevertheless, Ulster and Ravenhill could suffer a post-Euro hangover after the defeat to Toulouse and Connacht look better primed for the challenge than was the case when Ulster won at the Sportsground in early August.
Steph Nel has started to carve his own team, as evidenced by the five changes from that meeting, most notably with the advent of Shane Stephens, Tim Allnutt and Darren Yapp in the three-quarter line.
In addition, Connacht's morale and line-out had been sapped by the seven-week suspension meted out to their captain Mark McConnell the night before the game. At least Connacht have the Kiwi lock Rowen Frost and they also welcome back the South African pair of full back Wayne Munn and hooker Marnus Uijs from last week's war of attrition with Montferrand.
While they've gradually sharpened their attacking edge out wide, Ulster's has possibly been blunted a tad with the loss of Jonathan Bell and Tyrone Howe.
Still, they possess the leading try-scorer in the interpros in James Topping, while David Humphreys is playing as well as ever. They'll hardly be in the mood to let Harry down and, while Ravenhill might be a bit anti-climactic after the Euro nights, there is that imposing 40-year run for Connacht to overcome.
ULSTER: G Henderson; J Topping, R Constable, S Stewart, S Coulter; D Humphreys (capt), B Free; J Fitzpatrick, R Weir, C Boyd, M Blair, G Longwell, R Nelson, T McWhirter, A Ward.
CONNACHT: W Munn; P Duignan, S Stephens, T Allnutt, D Yapp; E Elwood, J Ferris; J Screene, M Uijs, M Cahill, R Frost, D Browne, I Dillon, J Charlie (capt), J O'Connor. Replacements: B Shelbourne, M Murphy, AN Other, G Schoeman, C Rigney, J McVeigh, D McFarland.
Referee: Alan Lewis (IRFU).
Last six meetings: (97-98) Connacht 27 Ulster 17; (98-99) Connacht 21 Ulster 18, Ulster 36 Connacht 6; (99-2000) Connacht 9 Ulster 50, Ulster 44 Connacht 22. (20001) Connacht 15 Ulster 39.
Overall championship meetings: Played 57, Ulster 44 wins, 3 draws, Connacht 10 wins. Last five Interpros: Ulster - LWLWL. Connacht - LLLLW. Leading try scorers: Ulster - James Topping 3, Andy Ward 2. Connacht - Eric Elwood 2. Leading points scorers: Ulster - David Humphreys 58. Connacht - Eric Elwood 58.
Forecast: Ulster to win.
