Gilroy gets all-clear from medics for shoot-out with Tigers

Ireland wing Craig Gilroy has been given the all clear by the Ulster medical staff and will face Leicester Tigers on Saturday in the Pool 5 Heineken Cup shoot-out at Welford Road.

Gilroy received a broken nose following a second-half collision with team-mate Andrew Trimble in last week’s victory over Montpellier at Ravenhill. The 22-year-old was replaced but following the strict player protocol in relation to concussion, he was given the thumbs up to play this week.

However, tight-head prop Declan Fitzpatrick has been ruled out for two weeks after suffering a blow to the head in the same game.

While the backline will be unchanged for the clash of the Pool 5 giants, there could be a few changes up front: Callum Black is set to replace Tom Court at loose-head while Roger Wilson looks set to be at number six with Robbie Diack on the bench and Nick Williams starting at number eight.

Rory Best will be playing his 150th game for the province at the weekend but is playing down the significance of that achievement.

“It will hopefully be a great day for us,” said Best. “It is something we have talked about a lot this season that if we can get a home quarter-final. Now we are in a great position as the only unbeaten team in Europe. We need to make sure we have to do everything right and play to our ability.

“I’m not focusing on caps. Getting over the line is what I’m worried about.

“It’s something we have talked about at he start of the campaign — going to win every game. We see this game as no different to all the others.

“To get through the odds are with you. Playing in front of 18,000 at Ravenhill is something to savour. It’s what we play rugby for, to play tough games and to go on and win against a tough, ruthless team.

“The biggest statement is to win the competition obviously. Munster and Leinster have the pedigree in Europe but we feel we have the ingredients to be one of the real top teams in Europe.

“We will give ourselves every opportunity is to win on Saturday and to get that game at home in April. If we do win we will be top seeds in Europe and that would be nice.”