O’Connor gets the nod again

NIALL O’CONNOR continues as Ulster first choice number 10 for the fourth consecutive game against Magners League new boys Aironi in Viadana tonight.

The 23-year-old from Limavady, Tyrone lost his way last season and found himself out of favour. However, hard work during the summer has seen him earn the vote of coach Brian McLaughlin.

McLaughlin pairs O’Connor with Paul Marshall at half-back with Ian Humphreys failing to make the bench. Apart from Paddy Wallace – who makes his first start of the season in place of Ian Whitten – the backline is the same as that which shocked Ospreys last week.