Brian McLaughlin has named an extended 33 man squad as Ulster prepare for a crucial RaboDirect PRO12 game against Scarlets at Ravenhill on Friday (kick off 7.05pm).
Stephen Ferris and Rory Best both return to the fold, having been rested against Glasgow at the weekend as part of the IRFU’s player management scheme. Chris Henry and Craig Gilroy are also likely to return to action this Friday, after both players were also rested in the defeat in Scotland, following their exertions so far this season.
They are also boosted by the return of All Black prop John Afoa, who returned to New Zealand temporarily after the Heineken Cup Round 1 win over French giants Clermont Auvergne. That means injured backline stars Ruan Pienaar, Paddy Wallace and Jared Payne are the only players unavailable for McLaughlin.
Ulster will find comfort in returning to Ravenhill this week, where they have lost only once in their last 12 encounters. Scarlets are one of the form teams in Europe at present, and are undefeated in their last eight matches in all competitions since their 10-20 loss in Treviso on 1st October.
Scarlets won 24-17 at Parc y Scarlets when the two teams met in the RaboDirect PRO12 on 29th October, but the Welshmen have not won in Ireland since a trip to Connacht on 9th January 2009.
There are still tickets available for Friday’s game. They can be bought online at or by calling the ticket office on 02890493222 (ticketing option). Alternatively, you can pay at the gate on match night.
Please be aware that ticket zoning and scanning will be in operation at the ground this season. Supporters should check their tickets to ensure that they are entering through the correct gate. More details are available at
Ulster Rugby would advise supporters coming to the game (gates open at 5.30pm) to avoid parking in the immediate vicinity of the Ravenhill Grounds and that the following roads are only accessible for residents and closed to everyone else:
1. Onslow Parade
2. Ravenhill Park
3. Ravenhill Park Gardens
There will also be parking restrictions in place in the Castlereagh area (Mount Merrion Avenue). Supporters are encouraged to make use of the Park ‘n’ Ride facilities at Pirrie Park and along Montgomery Road.
Provisional Ulster Squad to play Scarlets, Fri 2nd December, Ravenhill (kickoff 7.05pm):
Forwards:
Paddy McAllister, Callum Black, Tom Court, Adam Macklin, John Afoa, Declan Fitzpatrick, Jerry Cronin, Andi Kyriacou, Nigel Brady, Rory Best, Lewis Stevenson, Johann Muller (captain), Dan Tuohy, Tim Barker, Neil McComb, Stephen Ferris, Michael McComish, Pedrie Wannenburg, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack
Backs:
Paul Marshall, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson, Nevin Spence, Luke Marshall, Ian Whitten, Darren Cave, Craig Gilroy, Simon Danielli, Andrew Trimble, Adam D’Arcy
Unavailable due to injury:
Paddy Wallace, Ruan Pienaar, Jared Payne
