Ulster without Wallace and Afoa for Leicester challenge

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin been forced into two changes to his starting team for the Heineken Cup Pool 4 clash with Leicester Tigers on Saturday (6pm).

Paddy Wallace will miss the trip to Welford Road after he had an operation to repair tendon damage in his thumb.

The injury was picked up last weekend against Clermont Auvergne and is likely to keep the centre on the sidelines for six to eight weeks.

Nevin Spence is promoted to the starting XV in his place and will combine with Darren Cave in midfield.

The other change is sees Declan Fitzpatrick start at tighthead prop in place of John Afoa who had to return to New Zealand temporarily. Afoa, who was not due to join Ulster until December 1, had made a prior commitment to carry out best man duties at Jerome Kaino’s wedding.

The promotion of Spence and Fitzpatrick means Paddy Jackson and Adam Macklin are named among the replacements. The development duo will make their European debut if they take to the field on Saturday.

The one other change on the bench will see Nigel Brady providing cover at hooker instead of Andi Kyriacou, who will be given game time for the Ravens against Currie.

Commenting on the changes, McLaughlin said: “Declan has proved to be a very good tighthead prop. A couple of years ago against Stade Francais in this competition he proved what he is capable of at this level.

“To lose Paddy is a blow. After the World cup he came back itching to play and it’s very unfortunate for him.

“But in Nevin Spence we have an able replacement and we have no doubts he a can do an excellent job for us. We are very fortunate to have a lot of depth in that area with Ian Whitten and also Luke Marshall who is making his way back from injury.

“Welford Road has always been a very difficult place to go. Maybe with the World Cup they haven’t got off to the best of starts but with their internationals back they will be a tough nut to crack. But we are going there full of confidence.”

Ulster ( v Leicester Tigers): S Danielli; A Trimble, D Cave, N Spence, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, P Marshall; T Court, R Best, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg.

Replacements: N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, L Stevenson, W Faloon, I Porter, P Jackson, A D’Arcy.

Unavailable due to injury: Jared Payne (achilles), Luke Marshall (jaw), Jerry Cronin (neck), Ruan Pienaar (hamstring), Paddy Wallace (thumb).