Brian McLaughlin has named an extended squad as Ulster prepare for Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 fixture against Connacht at the Sportsground (kick off 5.15pm).
All players involved in Sunday’s historic Heineken Cup quarter-final win over Munster have been included in the panel. McLaughlin used the starting XV for the duration of what was an extremely physical game, but the Ulster medical staff have reported no fresh injuries.
Jared Payne, Simon Danielli, Chris Cochrane and Tim Barker continue to be the only players ruled out through injury.
Connacht have lost their last ten encounters with fellow Irish provinces since drawing with Ulster in September 2010. They have not beaten Ulster since a 22-12 success at the Sportsground in 2005.
Ulster have won their last five matches in all competitions and are the form team in the PRO12, having collected 31 points from a possible 40 in their last 8 games.
Those results have propelled them to 5th in the standings, just three points adrift of Ospreys in second place. Connacht meanwhile, are currently in 10th place but a win could bring them up to 8th going into their final two games.
Despite qualification to the semi-finals . . .
You will need to log in or register to read the rest of this article. If you have not already registered you can click here to register.
In 2022 we added 102,631 new images in 510 galleries with a gallery breakdown of 263 Rugby, 217 Hockey and 30 Athletics. Your registration and subscription will help us to continue.
Thanks.
Corrections, comments or questions?