Afoa to get first Ulster start

John Afoa will go straight into the starting line up for Ulster's game against Connacht at Ravenhill on Saturday (5.35pm).

The New Zealand World Cup winner arrived in Belfast on Wednesday and will make his debut at tight head prop in place of Declan Fitzpatrick. The 28-year-old, signed from the Auckland Blues in March, made two appearances as the All Blacks went on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup two weeks ago.

Hooker Rory Best and blindside flank Stephen Ferris will make his first starts for Ulster this season after being rested following their exertions at the World Cup with Ireland.

Scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar picked up a hamstring injury in training this week and is likely to be out for 4-6 weeks. He made his first appearance of the season against the Scarlets on Saturday, having been on World Cup duty with South Africa. Paul Marshall, who started the opening six games of the competition, will replace Pienaar in the number 9 jersey, with Ian Porter taking his position on the bench.

This week Darren Cave gets a chance to partner Paddy Wallace in midfield, with Nevin Spence named among the replacements. The back three of Craig Gilroy, Andrew Trimble and Simon Danielli remains unchanged from last weekend.

Best and Afoa are joined by Tom Court to make up an all-International front row, while lock Johann Muller will continue as captain. Ferris' inclusion will see Pedrie Wannenburg move to number 8, with Chris Henry starting at openside flanker.

Ulster: S Danielli; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, P Marshall; T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg;

Replacements: A Kyriacou, P McAllister, A Macklin, L Stevenson, R Diack, I Porter, N Spence, A D'Arcy.