Ulster v Stade Francais:There was mixed news on the injury front for Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin as he prepares to welcome Stade de France to Ravenhill this weekend. Although forwards Stephen Ferris and BJ Botha have been passed fit, there are a couple of notable omissions from the backs division.
Paddy Wallace has failed to recover from the ankle strain picked up on international duty, while Andrew Trimble has failed to even make McLaughlin’s initial selection.
McLaughlin will trim his squad of 26 on Friday for a match the province must win if they are to keep their feint qualification hopes alive.
And assistant coach Jeremy Davidson is determined the side meet the challenge head on.
“I think it will be very important for us to give Stade a warm welcome up-front, in the early exchanges, so that we can set our stall out, against what is essentially a very strong international team,” the former Castres man said today.
“If Stade get it right on the day, not only are they one of the best sides in France, they are one of the best in Europe. They are an exceptionally good team with world-class players’ in every position. There is no room for errors’ in play or set pieces come Saturday.”
Ulster squad
Forwards:Bryan Young, Tom Court, BJ Botha, Declan Fitzpatrick, Justin Fitzpatrick, Andy Kyriacou, Nigel Brady, Ryan Caldwell, Ed O'Donoghue, Dan Tuohy, Stephen Ferris, Willie Faloon, David Pollock, Chris Henry, TJ Anderson
Backs:Jamie Smith, Clinton Schifcofske, Timoci Naugsa, Simon Danielli, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Jonny Shiels, Ian Humphreys, Niall O'Connor, Isaac Boss, Paul Marshall
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