Fitzpatrick replaces Botha in Ulster front line

Declan Fitzpatrick will deputise for the injured BJ Botha in the front row when Ulster pack down against Glasgow tomorrow night. After a week of conflicting reports regarding his future, a knee injury sustained against Ireland keeps Botha on the sidelines.

The other two Ulster players involved in last weekend’s international with South Africa, Stephen Ferris and Paddy Wallace, are also ruled out.

As such, David Pollock will make his first start for the province in the back row while Ian Whitten will resume his partnership with Darren Cave in the Ulster midfield.

Both Ulster and the Warriors occupy joint-second in the Magners League and will be seeking to lay strong foundations with their performances tomorrow night ahead of a busy festive period.

The Warriors welcome back seven internationals after the autumn series but number eight John Beattie has been rested while Scotland captain Chris Cusiter starts on the bench.

Ulster:Clinton Schifcofske; Timoci Nagusa, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Simon Danielli; Ian Humphreys, Isaac Boss; Tom Court, Andy Kyriacou, Declan Fitzpatrick; Dan Tuohy, Ryan Caldwell; David Pollock, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry. Replacements:Nigel Brady, Bryan Young, Ed O'Donoghue, Thomas Anderson, Paul Marshall, Niall O'Connor, Jonny Shiels

Glasgow:Bernardo Stortoni; Alex Dunbar, Max Evans, Graeme Morrison, Thom Evans; Dan Parks, Mark McMillan; Jon Welsh, Dougie Hall, Moray Low; Tim Barker, Richie Gray; Kelly Brown, John Barclay, Richie Vernon; Replacements:Fergus Thomson, Kevin Tkachuk, Dan Turner, Calum Forrester, Chris Cusiter, Colin Gregor, Peter Murchie

Ulster (v Glasgow):Clinton Schifcofske; Timoci Nagusa, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Simon Danielli; Ian Humphreys, Isaac Boss; Tom Court, Andy Kyriacou, Declan Fitzpatrick; Dan Tuohy, Ryan Caldwell; David Pollock, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry. Replacements:Nigel Brady, Bryan Young, Ed O'Donoghue, Thomas Anderson, Paul Marshall, Niall O'Connor, Jonny Shiels