Ulster rest Wallace for Connacht clash

AS expected, Ulster’s Paddy Wallace will miss tonight’s Magners League derby with Connacht at the Galway Sportsground.

Wallace suffered yet another head injury in the last game against Cardiff and coach Matt Williams has decided to rest the Ireland centre, one of five changes from that defeat at Ravenhill two weeks ago.

Timocu Magusa gets his first start since injuring a hamstring back in November, while Ed O’Donoghue returns to the second row and Ian Whitten takes over from Wallace.

Tom Court finally gets a start after missing out since being involved in Ireland’s Grand Slam, while Chris Henry is tried at openside in preference to David Pollock.

Henry covered for Robbie Diack while the South African recovered from a foot injury, which kept him out for eight weeks.

Diack is looking forward to the final two games in the hope that Ulster can finish fifth.

“We lost a few tight games we should have won, and it’s important to note that we did only lose my by one or two points,’’ said the 23-year-old from Cape Town.

“We are still learning how to finish off teams. Failing to close down games has been our downfall this season. But as a team we can grow and there are a lot of things we have all learned this season,’’ said Diack.

The South African believes moving to Ulster was the right call for him even though he was touted as a possible Springbok.

“I’m really glad I made the decision to come to Belfast,’’ said the big bustling back-row forward. “I have played more rugby this year than I have played in my whole career back in South Africa. I have learned an awful lot and there is a lot more improvement to come.

“We can do that with a victory in Galway. Connacht are a tough team up front and will be difficult team to beat.’’

Connacht have high hopes of signing off their home season by claiming a rare treble over the Irish provinces, while Ulster are still seeking a top-six place.

Connacht may find it difficult to pick themselves up after their defeat by the Dragons which ended their Heineken Cup ambitions, but, having overcome Leinster and Munster already this season, the chance to take Ulster’s scalp is a big motivating factor.

“We’ve got an unique opportunity to have home victories over the three other Irish provinces in the one season – a feat that Connacht rugby have not yet achieved in the professional era,” said coach Michael Bradley.

Connacht are without two front-line players in centre Niva Ta’auso and flanker Johnny O’Connor, both with ankle injuries. As a result Bradley has reshuffled his backline, with Gavin Duffy reverting to the centre to partner Keith Matthews, and Troy Nathan slotting into full-back.

Up front, Andrew Browne gets another start in the back-row with Ray Ofisa picked at open-side, and captain John Muldoon returning from his one-match suspension. Michael Swift partners Farley in the second row, with Ronan Loughney joining Brett Wilkinson and Sean Cronin up front.

Connacht’s erratic performances, particularly away from home, have proved costly, and Bradley is way of Ulster’s clinical finishing.

“Earlier in the year when we played Ulster in Ravenhill we went up to the match with a lot of confidence, but Ulster showed in that game that they can be very clinical and we must be wary of this fact when we play them tonight.’’