Two changes for Ulster

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has been forced to make two changes from last week’s starting team as his side travel to the RDS on Saturday to play Leinster in the Magners League, kick-off 8.05pm.

Second row Johann Muller and wing Simon Danielli sustained injuries in the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Northampton so Tim Barker and Craig Gilroy are promoted from the bench as direct replacements. Muller received a dead leg and Danielli picked up a shoulder injury so McLaughlin chose not to risk them.

Neil McComb and Conor Gaston replace Barker and Gilroy on the bench and are joined there by Darren Cave who returns at the expense of Ian Whitten.

Ulster have won their previous six Magners League outings but have not beaten their Irish rivals in Dublin since 1999. Leinster defeated Leicester to progress to the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup last weekend but are not expected to rest many players for this crucial game.

The Ulstermen currently occupy second position, three points ahead of their fourth-placed Leinster. Defeat for either side would be a major setback as both teams are chasing a top four play-off spot.

Ulster: D’Arcy; A Trimble, N Spence, P Wallace, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; T Court, R Best (C), BJ Botha, T Barker, D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry, P Wannenburg

Replacements :A Kyriacou, P McAllister, B Young, N McComb, W Faloon, P Marshall, D Cave, C Gaston.