EBBW Vale will be without full back Matt James, pictured, for tonight's Celtic League game against Ulster at Eugene Cross Park.

He failed a fitness test yesterday on his damaged shoulder and will be replaced by Gareth Cull, who switches from the right wing.

Cull has been playing on the wing because of the need to use his goal kicking expertise, but his recognised position is full back where he played for Bridgend and Newport.

Aaron Takarangi, a Maori, steps in to make his home debut on the right wing after joining Vale in the summer from Currie in Scotland.

Neil McKim, the former Newport wing, is drafted in to the replacements.

Vale coach Mike Ruddock has given a vote of confidence to the Celtic League, which is in its first season.

And he defends the fact that Vale went to Leinster with a side showing 13 changes.

"It's proving a good competition so far. I think the Connacht result early on against Cardiff gave Welsh clubs the wake-up call they needed and improved standards," said Ruddock.

"Neath beating Munster, European Cup semi-finalists last season, showed the Welsh clubs are bouncing back. And Llanelli won in Ulster after losing at home to Leinster.

"The Irish lads believe it's better preparation for the Heineken Cup so they're positive too.

"Previously they had the inter-provincial competition against one another, now they are dealing with things like travelling, refereeing, recovery time which has got to be good.

"As for us making so many changes, we're different from other teams becauseof a new squad, so we were justified in looking at everyone in the first few weeks of the season. "We needed to give everyone a game."

Ebbw Vale: G Cull, A Takarangi, R Shorney, D Weatherley, A Wagstaff, S Mitchell, G Betts, I Thomas, L Phillips, M Jones, C Billen (captain), N Edwards, K Tuipolotu, W Thomas, P Williams. Kick-off 7.05pm.