Rugby:Rory Best has joined BJ Botha on the sidelines ahead of Ulster's vital match in Aironi tomorrow afternoon. The frontrowers were forced from the pitch against Biarritz last weekend and have failed to recover in time for the trip to Italy.

In their absence, Nigel Brady will start at hooker while Declan Fitzpatrick replaces Botha. Elsewhere, it’s a case of as you were for Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin as the province chase a first Heineken Cup quarter-final since 1999.

A win of any hue will guarantee the former winners a place in the last eight. Should they better Biarritz’s result against Bath, a home quarter-final is also a possibility although other results would also have to go in their favour.

Ulster:Adam D'Arcy; Andrew Trimble, Nevin Spence, Paddy Wallace, Simon Danielli; Ian Humphreys, Ruan Pienaar; Tom Court, Nigel Brady, Declan Fitzpatrick; Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy; Stephen Ferris, Willie Faloon, Pedrie Wannenburg. Replacements:Andi Kyriacou, Bryan Young, Jerry Cronin, Tim Barker, Chris Henry, Paul Marshall, Ian Whitten, David McIlwaine