Ulster play a waiting game on Terblanche

ULSTER are still hoping to include 37-times capped Springbok utility back Stefan Terblanche in their match-day squad for Saturday’s Heineken Cup opener at Ravenhill against French giants Clermont Auvergne.

However, it looks a forlorn hope as he was not included in the provisional 32-man squad.

The 36-year-old Terblanche recently signed a short-term contract as a replacement for injured Kiwi Jared Payne, but he has yet to be given the all clear by the UK Borders Agency.

Meanwhile, Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin will almost certainly parade the same starting line-up that defeated Connacht last week with New Zealand’s World Cup winning tight-head John Afoa tossed into the fray against the best that Europe can offer. Unfortunately for Ulster, Afoa heads back home after the game and will miss next week’s clash with Leicester Tigers at Welford Road. Afoa will be best man for the wedding of his friend and All Black colleague Jerome Kaino. It means that Declan Fitzpatrick, who missed the last few games, will be fast-tracked back for the trip to England.

McLaughlin praised the New Zealander for the manner in which he has settled in the province.

“He had a smashing game considering he just arrived in the country a few days early,” said McLaughlin. “He is now ready for what is a massive game for us. We have won the last eight European Cup games at Ravenhill and we want to add Clermont to the list. They are a class team with class players throughout their side. We must be right on the money to get that opening game win.”

Ulster skipper Johann Muller, who along with Tom Court and Stephen Ferris will be fit for the clash after injury scares, says the side is now focused on the task ahead.

“We had a tremendous session yesterday where everybody knew what is expected of them,” said Muller, who was sweating on the arm he had broken twice before, but x-rays revealed just severe bruising.

“The Heineken Cup is a massive step up from the week-to-week league games. We found that out last season when we faced Biarritz and we were just not good enough out there. Like last year it is going to be very tough to get out of our pool. But we will give it a real good go.”

Ulster squad v Clermont Auvergne

Forwards: P McAllister, C Black, T Court, J Afoa, A Macklin, D Fitzpatrick, A Kyriacou, N Brady, R Best, L Stevenson, J Muller, D Tuohy, T Barker, N McComb, S Ferris, M McComish, P Wannenburg, W Faloon, C Henry, R Diack.

Backs: P Marshall, I Porter, I Humphreys, P Jackson, P Wallace, M Spence, I Whitten, D Cave, C Gilroy, S Danielli, A Trimble, A D’Arcy.

Not considered due to injury: L Marshall, J Payne, R Pienaar, J Cronin.