CONNACHT AND ULSTER have named their squads for the weekend Magners League matches against the Cardiff Blues and Glasgow Warriors, respectively.

Ulster have included marquee South African signing Ruan Pienaar in their squad for the first time. The scrum-half could make his first appearance against Warriors.

Scottish international Simon Danielli could also make his comeback, as the winger is another included in the squad alongside Instonians prop Alan Whitten (brother of Ian) who will provide cover after a number of Ulster props fell injured.

ULSTER SQUAD

Forwards: Tom Court, Paddy McAllister, Bryan Young, Nigel Brady, Rory Best, AndiKyriacou, Tim Barker, Johann Muller, Ryan Caldwell, Dan Tuohy, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack, TJ Anderson, Pedrie Wannenburg

Backs: Adam D’Arcy. David McIlwaine, Jamie Smith, Simon Danielli, AndrewTrimble, Paul Emerick, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Paddy Wallace, Ian Humphreys,Niall O’Connor, Paul Marshall, Ian Porter, Ruan Pienaar

Connacht are able to recall Johnny O’Connor and Aidan Wynne to their 25-man squad to play on Thursday in Cardiff. Academy graduate Dermot Murphy could make his first appearance, after impressing Eric Elwood in pre-season.

CONNACHT SQUAD

Forwards: Ronan Loughney, Brett Wilkinson, Dermot Murphy, Sean Cronin, Adrian Flavin, Rob Sweeney, Jamie Hagan, Andrew Browne, Michael Swift, Bernie Upton, Michael McCarthy, Ray Ofisa, Mike McComish, Johnny O’Connor

Backs: Cillian Willis, Frank Murphy, Miah Nikora, Ian Keatley, Fionn Carr, Keith Matthews, Niva Taauso, Aidan Wynne, Troy Nathan, Gavin Duffy, Darragh Fanning.