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Best Set For His 150th Ulster Appearance

Best Set For His 150th Ulster Appearance

Ulster hooker Rory Best will make his 150th appearance for the province in Saturday’s Heineken Cup Pool 5 decider against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road (kick-off 6pm).

Rory Best is named at hooker alongside former All Black tighthead prop John Afoa and loosehead Callum Black, who makes his first ever start in the Heineken Cup.

The inclusion of Black is one of two changes to the team that defeated Montpellier at Ravenhill last weekend.

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The other sees Roger Wilson selected at blindside flanker with Robbie Diack moving to the replacements bench. Nick Williams starts at number 8, with Chris Henry picked at openside.

Johann Muller captains the side and is joined by Dan Tuohy in the second row.

Craig Gilroy has recovered from the injury that he sustained against Montpellier and starts on the left wing with Andrew Trimble named on the right and Jared Payne continuing at full-back.

Luke Marshall and Darren Cave maintain their partnership in midfield. Paddy Jackson and Ruan Pienaar link up once more at half-back.

Prop Declan Fitzpatrick was unavailable for selection having sustained concussion in last weekend’s game.

Ricky Lutton is named on the bench, as are Tom Court, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Robbie Diack, Paul Marshall, David McIlwaine and Michael Allen.

Ulster are the only team to have won all five pool matches in the competition this season and are the only side to have qualified for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals in the last four seasons in a row.

ULSTER (v Leicester Tigers): Jared Payne; Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; Callum Black, Rory Best, John Afoa, Johann Muller (capt), Dan Tuohy, Roger Wilson, Chris Henry, Nick Williams.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Tom Court, Ricky Lutton, Iain Henderson, Robbie Diack, Paul Marshall, David McIlwaine, Michael Allen.