Ulster wait on Tuohy and Wallace availability

Ulster have named Paddy Wallace and Dan Tuohy in their team to face Dragons in the RaboDirect PRO12 at Ravenhill on Friday (7.05pm), in the hope they will be released from the Irish 6 Nations squad.

Simon Danielli is named on the bench following his release from Scotland duty.

Regular captain Johann Muller suffered a calf injury in the team run on Wednesday and has been pulled from the team as a precaution.

All Black prop John Afoa will take over as skipper for the night and he is joined in the front row by Andi Kyriacou and Callum Black, who makes his second start.

Muller’s absence means Lewis Stevenson will partner Tuohy at lock, while Mike McComish, Willie Faloon and Robbie Diack form an athletic back row.

The half back pairing of Ruan Pienaar and Ian Humphreys remains, as does the centre partnership of Wallace and Ian Whitten.

Adam D’Arcy will start at fullback, with the versatile Stefan Terblanche moving to left wing and Craig Gilroy switching to the right flank.

Paddy McAllister has returned from injury to take a place on the bench where he will provide front row cover along with Nigel Brady and Adam Macklin.

The experienced Tim Barker and Academy player Ali Birch are the other forward replacements. Paul Marshall, Nevin Spence and Danielli complete the match day squad.

Ulster Coach Brian McLaughlin is confident that the absence of some experienced players will be offset by the hunger of the players coming in.

“We’re delighted to have the guys away with Ireland, it’s important for that the individuals get recognition for their performances with Ulster.

“With those guys away, it gives others a chance to come in and push themselves. It’s important for the squad that we give as many opportunities as possible to players as we have to be in a position where we have depth in each area.”

Ulster (v Dragons): A D’Arcy; C Gilroy, I Whitten, P Wallace, S Terblanche; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; C Black, A Kyriacou, J Afoa (capt), L Stevenson, D Tuohy, M McComish, W Faloon, R Diack.

Replacements: N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, T Barker, A Birch, P Marshall, N Spence, S Danielli.

Unavailable due to injury: Jared Payne (achilles), Declan Fitzpatrick (neck), Darren Cave (foot), Pedrie Wannenburg (foot), Johann Muller (calf).