McCall delays naming Ulster team

With a number of Ulster players involved in the Irish training camp in Portugal Ulster Coach Mark McCall has delayed naming his team for the Magners League match against Connacht on St Stephen's Day and has instead named a 24-man squad.

Ulster are hoping to maintain their top of the table position of the Magners League after the Heineken Cup fixtures and build upon the three point gap over Llanelli.

The squad sees the inclusion of development player Chris Henry who has not been named in a competitive Ulster Squad before. Henry, who plays his club rugby for Ballymena, has been brought in as back row cover for the clash against Connacht.

Tommy Bowe, who returns from a back injury, is named in the squad and will be hoping to make a welcome return at Ravenhill.

McCall will name his team on Christmas Eve at noon.

Connacht have also announced their squad which shows two changes from that which travelled to Montpellier last weekend, with John Hearty replacing Conor McPhillips and Ray Ofisa coming in for Ryan Strudwick.

Coach Michael Bradley will finalise the side on the Connacht website ( www.connachtrugby.ie) before noon tomorrow morning.

Ulster squad:

Backs- Kieran Campbell; Isaac Boss; David Humphreys; Paddy Wallace; Kevin Maggs; Paul Steinmetz; Andrew Trimble: Paul McKenzie; Mark Bartholomeusz; Bryn Cunningham; Tommy Bowe

Forwards- Simon Best; Bryan Young; Justin Fitzpatrick; Rory Best; Paul Shields; Justin Harrison; Matt McCullough; Tim Barker; Roger Wilson; Neil Best; Kieron Dawson; Neil McMillan; Chris Henry

Connacht squad:Andrew Farley, Adrian Flavin, John Fogarty, David Gannon, John Hearty, Chris Keane, Stephen Knoop, Matt Lacey, Mark McHugh, Keith Matthews, John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, Conor O'Loughlin, Colm Rigney, Daniel Riordan, Ted Robinson, Brett Sturgess, Michael Swift, Paul Warwick, Brett Wilkinson, Gavin Williams, Darren Yapp.

Not considered due to injury:Ray Hogan (calf), Ronan Loughney (knee), Joe Merrigan (leg), Matt Mostyn (ankle).