Ferris back for Ulster, McIlwaine to make Cup bow

Full-back David McIlwaine will make his Heineken Cup debut for Ulster against Biarritz Olympique in France on Sunday.

Injuries to Jamie Smith (shoulder girdle/rib) and Darren Cave (hamstring) rule them out of contention for Ulster and they are replaced by McIlwaine and Ian Whitten at centre in a show of confidence by coach Brian McLaughlin.

Up front, BJ Botha's return to fitness means that he takes up the tight-head berth with Tom Court switching to the loose to the exclusion of Bryan Young.

Best of all, Stephen Ferris returns to earn a slot at openside flanker with Chris Henry dropping to the bench.

ULSTER (v Biarritz): D McIlwaine, A Trimble, I Whitten, P Wallace, S Danielli, I Humphreys, R Pienaar, T Court, R Best [capt], B Botha, J Muller, T Barker, P Wannenburg, S Ferris, R Diack.

Replacements: A Kyriacou, P McAllister, B Young, D Tuohy, C Henry, P Marshall, N Spence, A D'Arcy