Williams set to miss Castres clash

Ulster’s dynamic number eight Nick Williams is set to miss tomorrow night’s Heineken Cup opener against Castres at Ravenhill.

The big New Zealand bruiser damaged a rib cartilage during last week’s derby against Connacht, and is also a doubt for the trip to Glasgow in the second round.

The former Munster player has been a revelation since his return to Ireland and has blossomed under senior coach Mark Anscombe who helped develop his early career with North Harbour.

Anscombe must choose between Michael McComish or young up-and-coming talent Iain Henderson, who yesterday signed a contract committing himself to the club until June 2015, to slot into the back-row alongside Chris Henry and Stephen Ferris.

Former Northampton number eight Roger Wilson continues his rehabilitation from a grade one hamstring tear while openside flanker Sean Doyle is ruled out after suffering a broken leg playing for Dungannon in the All-Ireland League last weekend.

Meanwhile, one man relishing the start of a long trek through Europe is hooker Rory Best, now fully fit following a groin problem and a well-earned after Ireland’s tour to New Zealand.

“I wasn’t feeling pretty last Saturday morning, but I’m fine now!” said Best who made his comeback on Friday against Connacht. “I knew I had to be back last week. Everyone was happy I was ready to go.

“But the Heineken Cup are the games you want to play in. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were in the group stages last year and all of a sudden here we are back in. It is very exciting.

“Everyone is talking about a bit more pressure. There is not really any more pressure because we went in last year expecting to get to a quarter-final. That is where we have to be this year. It is all about knowing your opposition in the group stages. It is no different with Castres this week we have to make sure we know everything about them.

“That is another sign where this team is, when we came into our meeting on Monday morning, everyone knew a little bit about Castres.”

Ulster have enjoyed a perfect start to the season but Best sounds a word of caution ahead of their European adventures.

“A good PRO12 build-up in that first segment is great but you are back at zero this week in a new competition and you have a very fine window to make sure you perform in Europe. Last week’s game against Connacht does not get us four points in the Heineken Cup. We need to make sure we turn up and do everything right.

“In many ways it makes it even more dangerous because Castres defeated Clermont the Top 14 leaders last week, and they believe they will have a real chance of going through if they win in Belfast. If we lose it leaves it very difficult for us because it is such a short competition.”