Marshall keen to nail down number 9 shirt

ULSTER scrum-half Paul Marshall has been handed a two-year contract extension to his contract ahead of tonight’s Magners League derby finale against Connacht at Ravenhill (7.30pm).

Marshall will have a new half-back partner in Ian Humphreys as coach Brian McLaughlin makes two changes from the side that secured Heineken Cup rugby for Ulster next season in a five-try victory over Edinburgh two weeks ago.

The other change sees Chris Henry returning at blindside flanker for the injured Stephen Ferris, who had three plates inserted into a fractured cheekbone this week, following a clash of heads with Nevin Spence during training on Tuesday.