O’Brien braced for fierce challenge as Ulster set to re-jig side

With Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien both on call for various media duties this week, it is only natural that the focus has centred on their prospective meeting with Ireland back-row colleague Stephen Ferris in Ravenhill this Friday.

O’Brien was as effusive in his praise for ‘Fez’ yesterday as Heaslip had been on Monday, but it may all be irrelevant if, as suggested yesterday, Ferris will be omitted along with Rory Best for the RaboDirect Pro12 meeting in Belfast.

With both Leinster and Ulster due to play Heineken Cup semi-finals the following week, it remains to be seen exactly which players are risked and which are rested ahead of their respective fixtures with Clermont Auvergne and Edinburgh.