Ulster welcome back internationals

Matt Williams has been able to welcome back Irish internationals Stephen Ferris, Rory Best and Paddy Wallace to a 26-man Ulster squad for the Magners League match against Connacht at Ravenhill on Friday.

The Australian coach will be feeling confident ahead of the game following from three Ulster victories over Munster, Portugal and Cardiff Blues A, respectively.

Scottish international Simon Danielli also returns to fitness following on from a knee injury picked up during the pre-season.

Coach Williams said: "We have a lot of respect for Connacht, they are a good side and play a hard game of rugby but we are more determined than ever and we are going out to win. We have performed well in our last few games; we won our last two Magners League games and beat a spirited Munster side. We will not hide from this Connacht side.

"The guys are hungry to play and continue on from the Munster and Portugal games and we hope that the Ulster rugby public know how much this game means to us and get out and support us."

Ulster squad:

Forwards: Justin Fitzpatrick, Rory Best, Nigel Brady, Tom Court, Brendan Botha, Ed O'Donoghue, Ryan Caldwell, Matt McCullough, Kieron Dawson, Robbie Diack, Stephen Ferris, David Pollock, Thomas Anderson.

Backs: Niall O'Connor, Bryn Cunningham, Timoci Nagusa, Darren Cave, Andrew Trimble, Ian Whitten, Cillian Willis, Isaac Boss, Paul Steinmetz, Ian Humphreys, Mark McCrea, Paddy Wallace,

Simon Danielli.