Ulster coach Matt Williams has opted to start new singing Brendon "BJ" Botha in the provinces opening Magners League fxture against Llanelli Scarlets at Ravenhill tomorrow night.

The tighthead prop has only trained once with his new teammates once but underwent pre-season with the Sharks before his move and Williams has no worries over the powerful scrummager.

"Brendon has been training with the Sharks for the last few weeks so I have no concerns over his fitness levels, he has impressed us all at training this week and I am delighted to name him in the side. It is important to hit the ground running and I feel we have picked a strong side for the first game," said the Australian today.

Botha is joined in the frontrow by Justin Fitzpatrick and captain Rory Best, while behind them Italian lock Carlo Del Fava partners new recruit Ed O'Donoghue.

There is a return to number eight for Robbie Diack.

Irish internationals Isaac Boss and Paddy Wallace will form the halfback partnership, while international teammate Andrew Trimble is named on the wing, rather than the centre where Dewey and speedy youngster Darren Cave will be deployed.

With Fijian international Timoci Nagusa on the left wing and former Australia A player Clinton Schifcofske completing the backline at fullback, Williams is confident his team will shine.

"We are ready for the Scarlets, I have mentioned this week in the media that we have had selection issues in that we have a great squad to choose from, that is something I am really pleased about.

"Scarlets are a good side and have recruited well over the summer, they will be keen to lay down the law at Ravenhill as we meet them again in the Heineken Cup in December, but we are determined to get our season off to a good start and build that confidence in the team up."

Ulster Team: C Schifcofske; A Trimble, D Cave, R Dewey, T Nagusa; P Wallace, l Boss; J Fitzpatrick; R Best(Capt), B Botha, C Del Fava, E O'Donoghue, M McCullough, K Dawson, R Diack Replacements: N Brady, T Court, R Caldwell, D Pollock, C Willis, N O'Connor, B Cunningham.