Injury woe facing Ulster’s back-row

ULSTER coach Brian McLaughlin is harbouring a back-row injury crisis with three players Stephen Ferris, Willie Faloon and David Pollock all receiving treatment for injuries while there is also a major doubt over Ireland centre Paddy Wallace for Friday’s date with Magners League high flyers the Ospreys.

All four were named in a 28-man squad yesterday although the Welsh also have a few men on the treatment table ahead of the Ravenhill date.

McLaughlin has added Neil McCombe, Pollock, Bryan Young, Jonny Shiels, Clinton Schifcofske and Darren Cave to a panel that chalked up a narrow win over Munster last Saturday.

“We have a few boys receiving treatment,” said McLaughlin. “Willie (Faloon) picked up a shoulder injury last week, while Stephen (Ferris) has a chronic ankle problem which is also affecting Paddy (Wallace). David (Pollock) should be ready after we rested him last week due to yet another ankle strain.

“We will give everyone every chance to recover before naming the side on Thursday,” said McLaughlin, who wants to keep the good home run going to build momentum for next week’s clash with Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup.

“We have to make sure we are up for the game, we have to compete and we have to beat them at Ravenhill.

“We have to go to town with them up front and show we are more than capable of dealing with them.

“Although we gained victory over Ospreys at the start of the season, we all know not to underestimate them.

“Ospreys are a dangerous side, who can and do compete at the highest level, we need to ensure we give them nothing to play with.

“It’s vital for our Magners League campaign that we win our home games and build a solid platform from them.”

The Ospreys may not field a full-strength side as big Heineken Cup games against Clermont Auvergne and Leicester loom on the horizon and may not risk Shane Williams, Barry Davies, James Hook and Alun-Wyn Jones.

Ulster won 20-16 when the two sides last met at the Liberty Stadium in a September clash and are going for a first ever league double over Ospreys.

Ospreys have not won at Ravenhill since September 2007.

ULSTER SQUAD (v Ospreys, Friday October 8): (Forwards): Declan Fitzpatrick, Bryan Young, BJ Botha, Nigel Brady, Andy Kyriacou, Ed O’Donoghue, Dan Tuohy, Ryan Caldwell, Chris Henry, Tom Court, Stephen Ferris, Willie Faloon, TJ Anderson, Neil McComb, David Pollock.

(Backs): Jamie Smith, Clinton Schifcofske, Simon Danielli, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Timoci Nagusa, Ian Humphreys, Niall O’Connor, Isaac Boss, Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble, Cillian Willis, Jonny Shiells.