Best and Ferris left out of Ulster squad

Irish internationals Rory Best and Stephen Ferris have been left out of Ulster’s squad for the Magners League encounter with Aironi this weekend.

Best picked up a neck injury in Friday night’s victory over the Ospreys at Ravenhill, while Ferris has been rested as part of the IRFU management programme.

Springbok international BJ Botha has returned to Belfast following South Africa’s Tri-Nations campaign and will start training again on Wednesday, but will not be considered for selection this weekend.

Jamie Smith is in the squad after recovering from an eye injury sustained in a pre-season friendly with Bath, while Chris Henry, who toured the southern hemisphere with Ireland during the summer, is also in the squad.

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin is expecting a stern test from Aironi after the newly formed Italian side put in a decent performance against Munster last weekend. “This is Aironi’s first home game in the Magners League. They will be very aggressive and physical, they played exceptionally well against Munster last weekend,” he said.

“They have a good pack that is very well directed by Mercier. They have signed very well; the key for them is Bortolami in the lineout.

“We had a great performance on Friday against the Ospreys, lots of pride and passion but we have to build on that and go to Italy to get something.”

Ulster’s clash with Aironi kicks off this Saturday at 7.05pm.

Ulster squad: Forwards: Tom Court, Paddy McAllister, Bryan Young, Declan Fitzpatrick, Adam Macklin, Neil McComb, Nigel Brady, Andi Kyriacou, Johann Muller, Tim Barker, Chris Henry, Ryan Caldwell, Willie Faloon, TJ Anderson, Robbie Diack, Pedrie Wannenburg.

Backs: Adam D’Arcy, David McIlwaine, Nevin Spence, Tommy Seymour, Jonny Shiels, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Paddy Wallace, Ian Humphreys, Niall O’Connor, Ian Porter, Paul Marshall, Jamie Smith.