Front-row worries for Ulster

Ulster are sweating on the fitness of their front-row ahead of Friday’s big Irish derby when the visit of Leinster hails the official opening of the rejuvenated Ravenhill stadium where there will be a capacity of 17,500 in attendance.

With Ulster’s hopes of silverware slowly being buried deep in thephysiotherapy room, there could be relief with tight-heads John Afoa and Ricky Lutton steadily regaining fitness after respective back and leg injuries. At least the other side of the scrum appears to be healthy again with Tom Court and Callum Black getting the thumbs up alongside hooker Rob Herring to participate in a game Ulster must win to give themselves a chance of making the RaboDirect play-offs.

With Rory Best, Ruan Pienaar, Dan Tuohy and Robbie Diack more or less out for the rest of the season, and Stephen Ferris not being considered this week, it will be a daunting task against the league leaders for an Ulster side that has lost its last two games and slipped to fourth in the table with the Ospreys threatening in fifth.