Ulster coach faces a few key decisions

CLINTON SCHIFCOFSKE returns to the Ulster squad and is included in an expanded, 27-man panel which Brian McLaughlin has named ahead of Friday’s make-or-break Heineken Cup game at home to Edinburgh. Save for long-term absentees Rory Best, Bryn Cunningham, Robbie Diack, Tamaiti Horua and Matt McCullough, the Ulster head coach has a full hand to choose from.

There is also good news concerning Best, whose recovery is well ahead of schedule, and he could return for Ulster before the conclusion of the Six Nations.

But for this week, given he has rotated his squad a little more of late, McLaughlin has a few selection headaches – especially at openside, the composition of the three-quarters line and fullback – ahead of their hugely significant Pool Four game against Edinburgh, who are one of only two visiting sides to have won at Ravenhill this season.

Despite Schifcofske’s recall, the likelihood is that Jamie Smith will retain the number 15 jersey after his encouraging debut away to Leinster and holding his place in the win at home to Munster.

The fit-again David Pollock is pushing Willie Faloon, while McLaughlin is still struggling for the right balance in midfield, and he must select four from Simon Danielli, Paddy Wallace, Ian Whitten, Darren Cave and Timoci Nagusa in the three-quarter line.

“Friday’s a massive game; we are all itching to get back to a game,” said McLaoughlin yesterday. “Rugby is the players’ job, they work hard all week with a view to getting out there and playing on a Friday night, so they’re disappointed when that doesn’t happen.

“That being the case, Friday night cannot come quickly enough for them. A full house to watch Ulster’s most important match in years would be a tremendous boost,” he added.

“The supporters’ role in our victory over Munster in our last home game was massive. They helped us to keep going in the final 20 minutes when we were under huge pressure. They drove us home, and all of us, the players’ and the coaching staff, really appreciated that.”

Edinburgh, and especially Chris Paterson, have been a thorn in Ulster’s side this season, for in addition to their 16-13 win in Belfast in September, they also won the sides’ earlier group game 17-13 in Murrayfield.

“We know Edinburgh and they know us, so there will be no room for error, we have to dominate the play if we are going to win. We have got some great training sessions in at Sini and Ashfield Boys’ School this week, and the players’ are all fully focused on Friday’s game.”

Tickets are still available for Ulster v Edinburgh, from the Ravenhill ticket office, Ticket Line and www.ulsterrugby.com.

ULSTER (squad v Edinburgh): Forwards: Bryan Young, Tom Court, Andy Kyriacou, Nigel Brady, Brendon Botha, Declan Fitzpatrick, Ed O’Donoghue, Ryan Caldwell, Neil McComb, Stephen Ferris, Chris Henry, Dan Touhy, Willie Faloon, Thomas Anderson, David Pollock. Backs: Clinton Schifcofske, Timoci Nagusa, Simon Danielli, Andrew Trimble, Ian Whitten, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, Ian Humphreys, Isaac Boss, Jamie Smith, Niall O’Connor, Cillian Willis.