Rugby:There was mixed news for Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin as he prepares for Saturday's trip to Aironi and a potential place in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals. BJ Botha will miss out with an elbow injury but fellow frontrower Rory Best is included at this stage.
Botha, Ulster’s hugely influential South Aftrican prop, was forced from the field during the win over Biarritz. While Ulster have yet to confirm the exact nature of the injury – Botha was due to have scans yesterday – he has been ruled out of Saturday’s game.
With the Springbok unavailable, McLaughlin will be keeping his fingers crossed that Best can overcome a rib injury sustained in the same match. Best has been included in an extended 32-man panel and will be afforded every opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of Friday’s team announcement.
A win of any hue against the Italian newcomers will guarantee Ulster a place in the last eight. Should they better Biarritz’s match result against Bath, a priceless home quarter-final could also be on offer.
Ulster squad:Tom Court, Declan Fitzpatrick, Jerry Cronin, Bryan Young, Andi Kyriacou, Rory Best, Nigel Brady, Ryan Caldwell, Tim Barker, Dan Tuohy, Johann Muller, Neil McComb, Willie Faloon, Pedrie Wannenburg. Stephen Ferris, TJ Anderson, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack Adam D'Arcy, David McIlwaine, Jamie Smith, Mark McCrea, Andrew Trimble, Simon Danielli, Paddy Wallace, Nevin Spence, Ian Whitten, Ian Humphreys, Niall O'Connor, Ian Porter, Paul Marshall, Ruan Pienaar
