Northampton v Ulster: Teams
Northampton's Jim Mallinder is refusing to underestimate Ulster despite his side being favourites to reach the Heineken Cup last four.
By Tony Curtis - Twitter: @SkySportsTC
Last Updated: 10/04/11 3:56pm
Northampton boss Jim Mallinder is refusing to underestimate Ulster despite his side being favourites to reach the Heineken Cup last four.
The Saints will have home advantage - albeit at the unfamiliar surroundings of stadium:mk in Milton Keynes - and have recaptured their form after a mid-season slump.
With their England contingent also available once again, confidence is high that Northampton can come through their quarter-final encounter.
However Mallinder is remaining focused on the job in hand. "We found out last year how important a loud and boisterous home crowd can be when you get to the Heineken Cup quarter finals," he said.
"This season we have given ourselves the opportunity to have that type of support behind us, and we're looking forward to hearing the Saints supporters giving their all in the stands on Sunday. It gives the team a massive boost when they run out, and everything will help because we're coming up against a really tough Ulster outfit.
Quality
"They are second in the Magners League and come over with six successive wins under their belt. In Ruan Pienaar and Ian Humphreys they have a pair of good half-backs, and they have international quality throughout their team.
"We got some good results against Wasps and Sale, but the Heineken Cup is a massive step up and we will have to be on our best form to get a positive result on Sunday."
Ulster have made one change in the starting line-up following the win over the Scarlets at Ravenhill.
Chris Henry has been given the nod at openside ahead of the benched Willie Faloon.
There is an additional change among the replacements, with Bryan Young coming in for the injured Declan Fitzpatrick.
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Paul Diggin, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Phil Dowson, 5 Christian Day, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Dylan Hartley (capt), 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Calum Clark, 21 Stuart Commins, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Bruce Reihana.
Ulster: 15 Adam D'Arcy, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Nevin Spence, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Robbie Diack, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Johann Muller, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Rory Best (capt), 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Andi Kyriacou, 17 Paddy McAllister, 18 Bryan Young, 19 Tim Barker, 20 Willie Faloon, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Ian Whitten, 23 Craig Gilroy.
