Munster motivation not a problem for returning Ulster skipper Muller

ULSTER skipper Johann Muller says he will not have to say much to psyche up the team ahead of Friday’s RaboDirect Pro12 derby clash with Munster at Ravenhill.

Muller, who will feature in a much-changed starting line-up to that which went down 42-13 to Leinster on Monday, knows also that it is a must-win game for his side if they still harbour ambitions of reaching the knock-out stages.

Ulster are currently lying in ninth spot and a victory will also give them confidence in the run-up to the third round of games in Europe.

“For this Friday I won’t have to say too much,” said Muller, who is likely to partner Dan Tuohy at lock with Willie Faloon, Chris Henry and Pedrie Wannenburg in the back row.

“The game is against Munster, and it’s at Ravenhill, so there is little motivating to do. There has been a great level of energy during training for those boys who had a week off, and the buzz has been excellent.

“We know what’s coming. Munster are an outstanding rugby team, but we are at home and we have a pretty good record there and we want to keep it that way.”

Ulster will be without their Ireland squad members, which means Paddy McAllister and Andi Kyriacou are likely to join John Afoa in the front row and Ian Whitten could partner Darren Cave in midfield with former Springbok Stefan Terblanche on the wing.

ULSTER SQUAD: Forwards: J Afoa, P McAllister, A Macklin, C Black, J Cronin, N Brady, A Kyriacou, N Annett, J Muller, L Stevenson, T Barker, D Tuohy, N McComb, W Faloon, C Henry, P Wannenburg, R Diack, A Birch. Backs: A D’Arcy, S Terblanche, P Nelson, S Danielli, C Cochrane, M Allen, C Gilroy, I Whitten, D Cave, C Farrell, I Humphreys, R Pienaar, I Porter, P Marshall.