Early return on cards for Botha

SPRINGBOK tight-head BJ Botha could be tossed into the fray quicker than anticipated when an unbeaten Ulster face Edinburgh at Ravenhill on Friday night (8.05pm).

Botha is still in pre-season training since his return from Tri-Nations duty with South Africa, but due to the calf injury sustained by Declan Fitzpatrick, coach Brian McLaughlin has added the prop to his 27-man squad.

McLaughlin revealed: “BJ is not ready yet, but due to the injury to Declan we may use him at some stage. He has trained with us this week for the first time. Tom Court will again start at tight-head with Bryan Young at loose. We will wait and see if Rory (Best) is available to start.”