JOHANN MULLER, STEPHEN Ferris and Tom Court have all shaken off injuries and will start for Ulster in their Heineken Cup opener against ASM Clermont Auvergne at Ravenhill on Saturday.
The team is unchanged from that which defeated Connacht in last weekend’s RaboDirect Pro 12 clash.
The only changes come on the replacements bench, where Declan Fitzpatrick returns from injury in place of Adam Macklin and Willie Faloon is chosen ahead of Robbie Diack.
John Afoa will make his European debut just one week after his first appearance for the side, while Paul Marshall holds on to the scrum-half jersey ahead of the injured Ruan Pienaar.
Paddy Wallace and Darren Cave are in the centre, while Simon Danielli continues at full-back.
Ulster coach told the province’s official website that the fitness of captain Muller, Ferris and Court came as a huge boost.
“To have the three guys available is a brilliant boost for us, you need your key players on the pitch. We have some people in the squad who are understandably disappointed at missing out, but it shows the quality we have assembled. Continuity is very important and it gives us momentum going into what is a massive game for us,” he said.
“Clermont are an exceptional side, they’ve proved that with their results in the Top 14. We are going to focus on us, cut out the errors and try to be a bit more clinical when opportunities arise.”
