Ulster Rugby braced for bruiser in Belfast

Ulster are delicately managing their players through a potentially difficult season, as Director of Rugby Les Kiss starts with Rob Herring at hooker and captain in place of Rory Best for this evening’s crucial Guinness Pro12 clash with an in-form Edinburgh side at the Kingspan Stadium.

Like Best, the 25-year-old Cape Town-born Herring recently signed a new two-year extension to his contract and will be making his 80th appearance for the club he joined from Western Province three years ago.

The talented Herring, who has one Ireland appearance in his locker gained on last summer’s tour to Argentina, comes in to allow Best rest up for more exacting challenging ahead.