Ulster looking strong for Leicester visit

Rugby:Coach Brian McLaughlin's hopes of fielding his strongest squad has been boosted with the inclusion of Pedrie Wannenburg and Ian Humphreys, who were both forced off the field in Ulster's win over Edinburgh last weekend.

Springbok Wannenburg injured his foot and outhalf Humphreys a hamstring but both players have been named in the 33 man panel and are in contention to play in their pivotal Pool 4 clash against Leicester Tigers in Ravenhill on Friday evening (KO: 8pm).

Young backline trio Luke Marshall, Paddy Jackson and Nevin Spence, who have all had ankle problems, have returned to training this week and are also available for selection as is Mike McComish, who has shaken off a shoulder injury.

Prop Declan Fitzpatrick’s neck injury was reviewed last week and he will continue to be out of action for 4-6 weeks, while Paddy McAllister and Peter Nelson also miss out.

Ulster is currently top of Pool 4 on 14 points, with Leicester trailing by two points. Defeat for either side would almost certainly end their dreams of reaching the last eight and the knockout phase of the competition. Clermont Auvergne is just one point behind Leicester in the pool standings and will travel to Aironi this weekend before hosting Ulster the following week.

Leicester have been hit by injuries to England internationals Toby Flood, Manu Tuilagi and Louis Deacon, who are all ruled out of the sell-out match. Flood’s replacement at flyhalf, Billy Twelvetrees, scored all of his side’s points in the 29-11 win over Wasps on Saturday.

Leicester has a formidable record in the Heineken Cup and has qualified for the knock-out stages ten times.

Ulster:Forwards - Callum Black, Tom Court, Adam Macklin, John Afoa, Jerry Cronin, Andi Kyriacou, Nigel Brady, Rory Best, Lewis Stevenson, Johann Muller (captain), Dan Tuohy, Tim Barker, Neil McComb, Stephen Ferris, Pedrie Wannenburg, Willie Faloon, Mike McComish, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack. Backs - Paul Marshall, Ruan Pienaar, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson, Paddy Wallace, Ian Whitten, Darren Cave, Nevin Spence, Stefan Terblanche, Craig Gilroy, Simon Danielli, Andrew Trimble, Adam D'Arcy

Unavailable due to injury: Declan Fitzpatrick, Jared Payne, Paddy McAllister, Peter Nelson