Pienaar plays down talks of move Down Under

ULSTER star Ruan Pienaar has dismissed reports linking him to Super 15 outfit ACT Brumbies.

Reports from an Australian newspaper claimed that South Africa’s World Cup winning coach Jake White had earmarked Pienaar to fill a void at half-back with the Canberra-based outfit.

However Pienaar yesterday poured cold water on the claims. He said: “The first I heard of it was when some of the boys mentioned it to me (yesterday) morning in training. I knew nothing about it, and have not been approached. Anyway I have another year of my contract left with Ulster.”

Meanwhile Props Tom Court and Declan Fitzpatrick return to Brian McLaughlin’s squad for Friday night’s Magners League game against the Dragons at Rodney Parade. Both were ruled out of the defeat away to Leinster and the home victory over Connacht but are included in a 31-man panel.

Ulster go into the game against the in-form Dragons needing a single point to be certain of making the semi-finals.

Ireland internationals Stephen Ferris, Paddy Wallace and Andrew Trimble remain sidelined, as does prop BJ Botha.

Wallace and Trimble have thumb injuries while Ferris and Botha have knee complaints.

Though Ulster need just a point to ensure a Top Four finish, McLaughlin revealed his side are targeting a win.

“We are focussed on winning this game. As far as we are concerned nothing else will do. If we think otherwise it could be the rock we perish on. The Dragons are very physical and they now also play a very attractive brand of rugby. We will have to improve on our recent performance. We looked a little tired against Connacht and maybe the break will have done us a power of good.” Dragons will rest centre Ashley Smith for their final Magners League match of the season. Smith has been suffering with a shoulder injury during recent weeks and Pat Leach will deputise.

ULSTER squad: (Forwards): J Cronin, T Court, P McAllister, B Young, D Fitzpatrick, R Best, N Brady, A Kyriacou, D Tuohy, J Muller, N McComb, T Barker, P Wannenburg, TJ Anderson, W Faloon, C Henry, R Diack. (Backs): R Pienaar, P Marshall, I Humphreys, P Jackson, I Whitten, N Spence, D Cave, M McCrea, S Danielli, T Seymour, C Gilroy, C Gaston, J Smith, A D’Arcy.