John Afoa will go straight into the starting line up for Ulster’s RaboDirect PRO12 game against Connacht on Saturday.
The New Zealand World Cup winner arrived in Belfast on Wednesday and will make his debut at tight head prop in place of Declan Fitzpatrick. The 28 year old, signed from the Auckland Blues in March, made two appearances as the All Blacks went on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup two weeks ago.
Hooker Rory Best and blindside flank Stephen Ferris will make his first starts for Ulster this season after being rested following their exertions at the World Cup with Ireland.
Scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar picked up a hamstring injury in training this week and is likely to be out for 4-6 weeks. He made his first appearance of the season against the Scarlets on Saturday, having been on World Cup duty with South Africa. Paul Marshall, who started the opening six games of the competition, will replace Pienaar in the number 9 jersey, with Ian Porter taking his position on the bench.
This week Darren Cave gets a chance to partner Paddy Wallace in midfield, with Nevin Spence named among the replacements. The back three of Craig Gilroy . . .
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