Stephen Ferris has signed a new short-term contract with Ulster and hopes to be fully recovered from major ankle surgery to return to action next month.

Ulster’s Tom Court returns to Twickenham for the first time tomorrow since his traumatic appearance against England last March — but Mike Ross believes the Ulster prop has already exorcised his St Patrick’s Day demons.

Brian McLaughlin has made 10 changes to the Ulster XV for Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Munster at Thomond Park (kick off 7.30pm).

Rory Best has captained his country before but three years and a whole other universe separate the Ulster hooker’s previous experiences from what he is about to go through this Saturday.

SCOTLAND prop Allan Jacobsen faces four months on the sidelines after tests showed he will require shoulder surgery.