McLaughlin rings changes for Connacht clash

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has named his side for Friday night’s Magners League game against Connacht at Ravenhill, kick-off 7.05pm.

Jerry Cronin is set to make his full debut for his adopted province and comes in at tight-head prop in place of BJ Botha, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a medial ligament injury.

Ireland backs Paddy Wallace and Andrew Trimble are not available for the match after they each fractured a thumb against Leinster last Saturday.

Darren Cave returns to the starting line-up after an impressive substitute appearance last time out. Cave starts at outside centre with Nevin Spence moving into the number 12 jersey to accommodate him.

Johann Muller returns to the second row after missing the trip to Dublin with a dead leg, meaning Tim Barker has to settle for a place among the replacements. Simon Danielli also comes back from injury to occupy the left wing spot so Craig Gilroy moves to the right wing position vacated by Trimble.

Willie Faloon will start at openside flanker, with Chris Henry moving to blindside and Robbie Diack dropping to the bench.

The defeat against Leinster means Ulster must now win their two remaining games to guarantee a semi-final spot.

Ulster: A D’Arcy; C Gilroy, D Cave, N Spence, S Danielli; I Humphreys, R Pienaar;P McAllister, R Best (C), J Cronin, J Muller, D Tuohy, C Henry, W Faloon, P Wannenburg;

Replacements: A Kyriacou, B Young, A Macklin, T Barker, R Diack, P Marshall, I Whitten, C Gaston.