Booth’s side have been in tremendous form winning five straight games in all competitions before a three-week break, due to the Six Nations, which has allowed a few players to heel in time for the next block of fixtures in the URC.
Derby day delights over the Scarlets and Cardiff have been backed up with European success against Perpignan and the Emirates Lions leaving the Welsh region flying the flag as the highest-placed side at the mid-point of the season.
Next up is their latest challenge of an Ulster side that have finished in the top three domestic placings in the last five seasons. Booth feels the Irish side will produce a physical challenge and is delighted to welcome back several first-team players back into the fold.
One of them is 33-year-old Cuthbert who has been out of action since first suffering a foot injury in Wales’ Six Nations match against Scotland in Edinburgh last year a year ago.
Since then, Cuthbert has been blighted with injuries including a troublesome calf injury that has slowed the former Cardiff winger’s return to action.
Meanwhile, flanker Tipuric’s return from surgery on a thumb injury inflicted three months ago against the Dragons has come at a timely period with a host of back-row forwards including Wales captain Jac Morgan unavailable.
The invaluable leadership qualities of the former Wales man will be a welcome boost for Booth with the experienced heads of George North, Owen Watkin, Adam Beard Gareth Thomas on international duty. Whilst the game will come too soon for fly-half Owen Williams and number-eight Morgan Morris.
“We are looking to continue the momentum, but we know any opposition [in the URC] is tough at any time of year. You can see that in the results and the closeness of the table,” said Booth.
“We’ve got a few back. Toby Fricker, Alex Cuthbert, Dom Morris, Justin Tipuric and Nicky Smith are available.
“It’s great to have that especially with Owen Watkin, Adam Beard and George North not being around.
“He [Morgan Morse] is available, but we are very mindful of him as an individual. We need to manage his program because he needs time to develop both physically, technically and with decision-making.
“We have to help him progress in an appropriate way because if you do one thing, you won’t get the player at the end.
“He is a prestigious talent, everyone can see that, but he still has a lot to work on in order to become that full Wales international which we believe he has the capability to do.
“Like anything, the pinch points are still the same for us around certain positions, but we will make do.
“Getting the Chettah’s boys in is good because we can cover a couple of those positions even though it is tough to get them up to speed in a short period of time.
“They will be around [this weekend]. I don’t think they will all necessarily feature but we need to get positions covered that we are short on.
“To get some fresh blood and energy in is great, they are great lads. The weather is a little different to be fair, which has been a bit of an eye-opener, but we are excited to have them, and they will contribute in their time here. It will help us relieve the pressure a bit.
“They [Morgan Morris and Rhys Davies] will just miss out. They are really close, but it would be a risk to them. It’s probably a game too soon.”
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
