Ulster Line-Up Announced

Captained by Rory Best, there is just once change in the starting line-up from the side which defeated Llanelli Scarlets at Ravenhill in the Magners League last week, with Chris Henry starting in the openside berth ahead of Willie Faloon who is named on the bench.

The only other change amongst the replacements is the inclusion of prop Bryan Young who comes in with Declan Fitzpatrick unavailable having picked up a wrist injury.

Craig Gilroy, Ulster's top try-scorer in the Magners League with seven tries from nine appearances could make his Heineken Cup debut if he comes off the bench during the game, having been registered for the competition as an additional player. 

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports and there will also be commentary on Radio Ulster 1341 MW from 2pm.

ULSTER: (15-9) Adam D'Arcy; Andrew Trimble, Nevin Spence, Paddy Wallace, Simon Danielli; Ian Humphreys, Ruan Pienaar (1-8) Tom Court, Rory Best (Captain), BJ Botha, Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry, Pedrie Wannenburg

Replacements: (16-23) Andi Kyriacou, Paddy McAllister, Bryan Young, Tim Barker, Willie Faloon, Paul Marshall, Ian Whitten, Craig Gilroy

Munster team to face Brive.

O'Driscoll is just one of three changes coach Tony McGahan makes, from the side that started against Leinster, for the game tomorrow in the Stade Municipal (2pm local time).

Denis Leamy who replaced Donnacha Ryan in the 54th minute against Leinster retains the number 6 shirt while Sam Tuitupou, off to join an English Premiership side at the end of the season, partners his cousin Lifeimi Mafi in the centre with Johne Murphy slipping to the bench.

Munster: F Jones; D Howlett, L Mafi, S Tuitupou, K Earls; R O'Gara, C Murray; W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; D Leamy, D Wallace, J Coughlan.

Replacements: M Sherry, M Horan, J Hayes, D Ryan, N Ronan, P Stringer, P Warwick, J Murphy.

Leinster Team Named To Face The Tigers

Sean O'Brien will make his 50th Leinster appearance in Saturday's game and he continues in the back-row alongside Jamie Heaslip and Kevin McLaughlin.

Leo Cullen leads the team and partners Nathan Hines at second row, with Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross completing the pack.

Gordon D'Arcy again links up with Brian O'Driscoll in a backline which features, in all, six Ireland internationals including the competition's top points scorer so far this season Jonathan Sexton (76 points) who partners Eoin Reddan at half back.

Ireland international trio Isaac Boss, Fergus McFadden and Devin Toner are named amongst the replacements.

Vainikolo moving to Connacht

Connacht have completed the signing of winger Fetu'u Vainikolo from Super Rugby franchise the Highlanders.

The 26-year-old has played for Northland in 2007 and in his 22 caps he scored 10 tries. In 2009 he moved to Otago where he earned a further 15 caps before making his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders in 2008 against the Reds.

Vainikolo scored an impressive 13 tries for the Highlanders between 2008 and 2010 and is known for his explosive ball-carrying ability.

"I am excited about furthering my career with Connacht. I have watched their progress with interest this season and been impressed with their style of play," he told the Connacht website.


"I am looking forward to hopefully scoring many tries in the green jersey."

Ulster announce squad to meet Saints

Ulster head coach Brian McLaughlin has named a 31-man squad for the Heineken Cup quarter-final against the Saints.

 

Out-half Ian Humphreys and prop BJ Botha came through their return game against the Scarlets unscathed last weekend and have been pencilled in for Ulster's first European quarter-final since 1999.

Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris is the only player unavailable to the province as he is still suffering with a knee problem.

If Brian McLaughlin's men manage to beat Northampton on Sunday, they will face either Perpignon or Toulon in a semi-final in Dublin.
Ulster come into the game on the back of six straight Magners League wins, while Northampton have won their previous three matches.