Afoa in for Ulster

Prop Declan Fitzpatrick has been withdrawn from the starting team for the RaboDirect PRO12 derby against Connacht after aggravating a medial ligament injury in training this morning.

John Afoa will now start in Friday’s game while Adam Macklin has been drafted onto the bench.

Ulster (v Connacht): J Payne; T Bowe, D Cave, P Wallace, A Trimble; P Jackson, P Marshall; T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (c), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, N Williams;

Replacements: R Herring, C Black, A Macklin, L Stevenson, M McComish, M Heaney, L Marshall, C Gilroy.