RUAN PIENAAR HAS been passed fit for Ulster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens (6.30pm).
Pienaar had been struggling with a shoulder injury but he starts at scrum-half in Ravenhill tomorrow night with Paddy Jackson outside him at 10.
Irish internationals Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble join Jared Payne in the back three while Luke Marshall and Darren Cave continue their partnership in midfield.
The tight five is as expected with Tom Court joining Rory Best and John Afoa in the front row with captain Johann Muller and Dan Tuohy in behind, while Roger Wilson, Chris Henry and Nick Williams make up the back row.
Stephen Ferris is one of four Irish internationals on the bench alongside Iain Henderson, Craig Gilroy and Paul Marshall.
Meanwhile Saracens have named a team brimming with international talent of their own including a dangerous back three of Alex Goode, David Strettle and Chris Ashton, who has four tries in the competition already this season.
Gorey’s Eoin Sherrif is named on the bench.
Ulster: Jared Payne; Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Tommy Bowe; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; Tom Court, Rory Best, John Afoa; Johann Muller (c), Dan Tuohy; Roger Wilson, Chris Henry, Nick Williams. Replacements: Rob Herring, Andrew Warwick, Ricky Lutton, Iain Henderson, Stephen Ferris, Robbie Diack, Paul Marshall, Craig Gilroy.
Saracens: Alex Goode; Chris Ashton, Duncan Taylor, Brad Barritt, David Strettle; Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth; Mako Vunipola, Schalk Brits, James Johnston; Steve Borthwick (c), Mouritz Botha; Billy Vunipola, Jacques Burger, Ernst Joubert. Replacements: Jamie George, Richard Barrington, Matt Stevens, Eoin Sheriff, Kelly Brown, Neil de Kock, Charlie Hodgson, Chris Wyles.
