Rugby:Ulster fans won't have to wait long for their first glimpse of new World Cup winning prop, John Afoa, with coach Brian McLaughlin naming the All Black in their starting line-up for tomorrow evening's match against Connacht.
Afoa, who made two appearances for New Zealand as they claimed the Webb Ellis trophy, only arrived in the country on Wednesday but has been thrust straight into the action.
“It was crucial that John got to know our structures and our system straight away so he has had a couple of training sessions already,” McLaughlin said this morning. “We are looking forward to seeing him play and looking forward to seeing what he can add to our game.”
Ruan Pienaar will play no part at Ravenhill having injured his hamstring during training, the problem serious enough to also sideline the South African for the first two rounds of the Heineken Cup.
Rory Best and Stephen Ferris will make their seasonal debuts for the province after their fine World Cup campaigns.
“When you lose someone of Ruan’s calibre it’s obviously a blow,” added McLaughlin, “but Paul Marshall has done brilliantly so far this season, and when he was asked to play last season, so we’re happy with the situation.
“We’re delighted to have Stevie (Ferris) and Rory (Best) back in the team too. Stevie hasn’t played for us since January so it’s a big day for him. Stevie brings great energy and physicality to the team and it’s brilliant to have him available with some massive games coming up.
“To have Rory in there too is excellent. It helps Johann (Muller) as far as leadership is concerned and we are very hopeful that he can bring his World Cup form to Ravenhill at the weekend and get us back on the right track.”
Flanker Eoghan Grace will make his first appearance for Connacht with Eric Elwood making six changes from the side that lost to Cardiff last weekend
TJ Anderson is also included in a re-jigged backrow while Paul O’Donohue returns to the base of the scrum after being rested against the Blues.
Ulster(v Connacht, Saturday, 5.35pm): S Danielli; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, P Marshall; T Court, R Best, J Afoa; J Muller (capt), D Tuohy; S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg.
Replacements:A Kyriacou, P McAllister, A Macklin, L Stevenson, R Diack, I Porter, N Spence, A D'Arcy.
Connacht:T O'Halloran; F Vainikolo, G Duffy, D McSharry, B Tuohy; M Nikora, P O'Donohoe, B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Ah You; M Swift, M McCarthy, TJ Anderson, E Grace, G Naoupu. Replacements:E Reynecke, R Loughney, D Rogers, D Gannon, J Muldoon, F Murphy, N O'Connor, M Jarvis.
