| Ulster have a mathematical chance of reaching the quarter-finals, but would need so many unusual results elsewhere that the task is virtually impossible. They beat the Blues 21-16 in a tight game at Ravenhill in the first round and know they’re in for a battle in Cardiff.
The Blues' team to play Ulster at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday shows three changes from the side that started in Paris last week. One positional switch sees Craig Morgan move to full back in place of the injured Rhys Williams. It will be Morgan's eighth game of the season in that role.
Into the side come Fereti Tuilagi on the wing and Gethin Jenkins at tight-head prop. Lee Thomas has recovered from a shoulder injury and is named among the replacements. Meanwhile Ulster coach Mark McCall has rung the changes ahead of his side’s trip to the Principality.
Ulster must score the 5 maximum points against Cardiff (4 points for the win and 1 bonus point) to be in with a glimmer of hope of progressing to the next stage of the competition. After that, qualification is out of their hands. McCall has made 5 changes of personnel and one positional change following last weekend’s win over Gloucester.
At full-back Paddy Wallace is favoured over Bryn Cunningham, who has played in every competitive match so far this season and who is named amongst the replacements, while Tyrone Howe’s injury sees flyer Andrew Maxwell given a start on the left wing. In the front row, Simon Best is the positional change, moving from loose to tight-head prop, while Paul Shields and Ronan McCormack return to the XV ahead of Rory Best and Rod Moore who both start on the bench.
In the second row Rowan Frost in for Gary Longwell who is rested having reached his 50th European Cap landmark last weekend against Gloucester while in the back row, Campbell Feather makes way for Andy Ward. Elsewhere among the replacements scrum-half Reece Spee is named ahead of Neil Doak.
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