Rugby:Connacht coach Michael Bradley has made four changes to his side for tomorrow's Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final clash against Bourgoin at the Sportsground (1pm).
Bradley has been boosted with a return to fitness of some of his frontline players, with skipper John Muldoon back at blindside flanker after time off with a groin injury.
Mike McCarthy, who started at No 6 in the Magners League win over Edinburgh last Friday, moves up to the secondrow in place of Bernie Upton, who is named on the bench.
George Naoupu has got over his hamstring strain and takes over at number eight from Mike McComish, who moves to the replacements.
There are two changes and a positional switch in the backs, with Niva Ta’auso and Keith Matthews forming a new midfield, while Troy Nathan moves from outside centre to the right wing, displacing Brian Tuohy.
Meanwhile, Connacht have announced that supporters will be able to purchase a limited number of tickets at the gate tomorrow as Bourgoin have not taken up their full issue.
Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin is looking for big improvement after he today named an extended 30-man squad ahead of their Magners League game against Ospreys at Ravenhill next Tuesday (7.30pm).
"Last week against Cardiff we simply weren't good enough,” said McLaughlin. “We made a strong start, but went on to give away to many soft points. It was very disappointing because we know we can win these games."
"Losing at Ravenhill is not something that is taken lightly. Playing in front of your home crowd means so much to each player and each coach, so we all know what is required of us come Tuesday.
"It will be a very tough game for us, but we have to make sure we're in their face and don't let them play. We will not gift Ospreys such easy scores.
Prop Tom Court has recovered from injury and returns to the squad while winger Nevin Spence comes in at the expense Paddy McAllister.
"We have to make sure we are up for the game, we have to compete and we have to make sure we beat them at Ravenhill,” added McLaughlin. “We have to go to town with them up front and show that we are more than capable of dealing with them.
"We all know not to under estimate them. Ospreys are a dangerous side, who can and do compete at the highest level, so we need to ensure we give them nothing to play with."
CONNACHT (v Bourgoin):Gavin Duffy; Troy Nathan, Niva Ta'auso, Keith Matthews, Fionn Carr; Ian Keatley, Frank Murphy; Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin, Jamie Hagan, Michael Swift, Michael McCarthy, John Muldoon (capt), Johnny O'Connor, George Naoupu.
Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Bernie Upton, Mike McComish, Conor O'Loughlin, Miah Nikora, Aidan Wynne, Robbie Morris
ULSTER SQUAD (v Ospreys)
Forwards: Declan Fitzpatrick, Bryan Young, Tom Court, BJ Botha, Nigel Brady, Andi Kyriacou, Ed O'Donoghue, Dan Tuohy, Ryan Caldwell, Chris Henry, Tom Court, Stephen Ferris, Robbie Diack, TJ Anderson, David Pollock, Rory Best.
Backs: Jamie Smith, Paul Marshall, Simon Danielli, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Timoci Nagusa, Ian Humphreys, Niall O'Connor, Isaac Boss, Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble, Michael Heaney, Jonny Shiells, Tommy Seymour, Nevin Spence