Henderson set for home debut

Back row Iain Henderson will make his home debut for Ulster in place of the injured Nick Williams for Friday's Heineken Cup Pool 4 opener against Castres Olympique (8.00pm).

Williams has failed to recover from a rib injury picked up in the 25-0 win over Connacht on Friday night so Henderson will make his fourth appearance for the Province, his first in the Heineken Cup.

It follows yesterday's news that the 20-year-old has signed his first full contract, keeping him at the club until June 2015.

Henderson's inclusion at blindside flanker will mean Stephen Ferris switches to the back of the scrum. The rest of the team is unchanged from Friday's victory over Connacht.

The only change on the replacements bench will see Ruan Pienaar, who returned from Rugby Championship duty with South Africa earlier in the week, named in place of Michael Heaney.

After missing most of last season with an Achilles tendon injury, fullback Jared Payne will also make his European bow.

Having been handed a starting spot on account of injuries to other squad members, Henderson is keen to make the most of his opportunity.

"I can't wait,” he said. “I've been watching games at Ravenhill since I was a kid and I'm really looking forward to pulling on the white jersey and experiencing the atmosphere as a player.

"My first aim for the season was to be involved in a few PRO12 games but with the few injuries that we have in the back row, I've been given an opportunity and I have to try and grab it with both hands.

"Castres are a very physical team but they also throw the ball wide and have an expansive kicking game. That should make for a tough, but entertaining game.

“We'll have to work really hard to nullify their threats."

Castres currently occupy sixth position in the Top 14 having beaten Clermont Auvergne at the weekend, while Ulster remain undefeated in the RaboDirect PRO12. Former Ravenhill crowd favourite Pedrie Wannenburg likely to line up for the French side.

Ulster (v. Castres Olympique): 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, I Henderson, C Henry, S Ferris.

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