RORY BEST COULD make his first start of the season as Ulster look to extend their perfect start in Friday’s interprovincial clash against Connacht.
Connacht travel to Ravenhill on a high following their shock win against Leinster but they come up against a Ulster side which has won all four of their games in the RaboDirect Pro12 to date.
Best has not played since Ireland’s summer test against New Zealand on 23 June but the hooker is named in coach Mark Anscombe’s 25-man squad and could start ahead of Nigel Brady.
Best’s international team-mates Stephen Ferris and Declan Fitzpatrick also return to the squad, while captain Johann Muller is included after overcoming the niggling injuries which ruled him out of the 48-19 win against the Cardiff Blues last weekend.
Ulster squad to face Connacht
Forwards: Rob Herring, Rory Best, Declan Fitzpatrick, John Afoa, Tom Court, Callum Black, Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy, Lewis Stevenson, Stephen Ferris, Mike McComish, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Nick Williams.
Backs: Paul Marshall, Michael Heaney, Niall O’Connor, Paddy Jackson, Paddy Wallace, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, Craig Gilroy, Jared Payne.
