Humphreys and Botha back for Ulster

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has named a 35-man squad ahead of Friday’s Magners League clash with the Scarlets at Ravenhill, kick-off 7.05pm.

Ian Humphreys and BJ Botha return to the preliminary squad which will face their Welsh play-off rivals.

Botha, who is will play for Munster next season, has not played since injuring his elbow before Christmas while Humphreys pulled a hamstring during training in February.

Captain Rory Best is back in contention for a starting place after coming on after 50 minutes last week against Glasgow. Conor Gaston is named in the preliminary squad for the third week running after impressive performances in his first two appearances.

Ulster are currently sitting third in the Magners League after a run of five straight wins and will be hoping to continue their rise up the table.

The Scarlets occupy sixth position but are just five points adrift of Ulster and with a Magners League semi-final spot up for grabs, it promises to be a tense game.

Ulster: Jerry Cronin, Declan Fitzpatrick, Tom Court, BJ Botha, Paddy McAllister, Bryan Young, Rory Best, Nigel Brady, Andi Kyriacou, Ryan Caldwell, Dan Tuohy, Johann Muller, Tim Barker, Pedrie Wannenburg, TJ Anderson, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack, Ruan Pienaar, Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys, Niall O'Connor, Ian Whitten, Nevin Spence, Paddy Wallace, Darren Cave, Mark McCrea, Andrew Trimble, Simon Danielli, Tommy Seymour, Craig Gilroy, Conor Gaston, David McIlwaine, Jamie Smith, Adam D'Arcy.