Rugby:After the dust settled on the Six Nations, Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has welcomed back his Irish contingent into the fold as they look push on and secure a play-off place in the Magners League.
Rory Best, Andrew Trimble, Paddy Wallace and Tom Court all return to the 36-man Ulster squad ahead of Friday’s game away to Glasgow (kick-off 8.05pm). Simon Danielli also returns having featured for Scotland in their win over Italy last Saturday.
Conor Gaston has been named in the squad for the second week running after the 20-year-old wing featured in last week’s win over the Dragons.
That last gasp win was Ulster's fourth on the spin and it moved them up to fourth in the standings and into one of the automatic play-off places.
Firhill is never an easy place to go but Ulster, with their current run of form, should fancy their chance against the side second from bottom in the table.
Meanwhile Connacht’s Miah Nikora has been ruled out for at least three weeks with medial ligament damage and slight fracture of the leg.
“Miah is out for two-to-three weeks with medial ligament damage and a slight fracture of leg. He’s definitely out this week (away to Aironi) and against Edinburgh,” said coach Eric Elwood.
Elwood is also waiting on fitness updates for Ray Ofisa (back) and Dermot Murphy (ankle), while Eoin Griffin is still sidelined. Keith Mathews, who didn’t train at the start of the week, is another injury concern.
“It’s not too bad all things considered but Mia will be a big loss to us, we’ll miss him. Ian Keatley didn’t train last week but did train this week. We should have Sean (Cronin) back too,” added Elwood, noting a number of Italian international will return to the Aironi side for this weekend’s game.
Ulster squad
Forwards:Jerry Cronin, Declan Fitzpatrick, Tom Court, Adam Macklin, Paddy McAllister, Bryan Young, Rory Best, Nigel Brady, Andi Kyriacou, Ryan Caldwell, Neil McComb, Dan Tuohy, Johann Muller, Tim Barker, Pedrie Wannenburg, TJ Anderson, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack.
Backs:Ruan Pienaar, Paul Marshall, Patrick Jackson, Niall O'Connor, Ian Whitten, Nevin Spence, Paddy Wallace, Darren Cave, Mark McCrea, Andrew Trimble, Simon Danielli, Tommy Seymour, Craig Gilroy, Conor Gaston, David McIlwaine, Jamie Smith, Adam D'Arcy.
