Henry in Ulster frame as McLaughlin thinks big

COACH Brian McLaughlin called flanker Chris Henry ‘Mr Consistency’ and it is odds-on the 27-year-old will form part of an industrious back row when Ulster travel to face Northampton in the Heineken Cup quarter-final in Milton Keynes on Sunday.

Henry is in contention with Willie Faloon for the number seven jersey but after his heart-warming cameo in the narrow victory over the Scarlets last week, he is certain to feature in what is Ulster’s biggest game in Europe for 12 years. McLaughlin has again named an extended squad for the crunch tie but there is likely to be little variation to the normal starting line-up, with Robbie Diack packing down at blindside alongside South African warrior Pedrie Wannenburg.

“Chris has never let us down,” said McLaughlin, wary of not giving away too many secrets.