Ulster welcome back Humphreys and Maggs

Ulster have included David Humphreys and Kevin Maggs in their side for the match versus Connacht in Galway this Saturday.

Paddy Wallace and Paul Steinmetz step down, as does Rowan Frost for the returning Matt McCullough in the second row. McCullough recently signed a new four year contract with Ulster and came off the bench for Frost in the match against Leinster, having been out injured.

This will be centre Maggs’ first appearance for Ulster, having joined them from Bath over the summer, whereas it will be Humphreys’ 100th appearance. Still, they have a wealth of experience playing with each other from their days with Ireland.

Mark McCall will be keen to bounce back from the Leinster defeat with a win, though the westerners will not be an easy nut to crack. Ulster have been one of the favourites for the Celtic League and a second defeat would leave them with a considerable mountain to climb to achieve that ambition. So the stakes are high for the Northerners despite the fact that it is still early days.

Ulster (v Connacht): Bryn Cunningham, Tommy Bowe, Jonny Bell, Kevin Maggs, Andrew Maxwell, David Humphreys, Neil Doak, Simon Best, Paul Shields, Rod Moore, Matt Mustchin, Matt McCullough, Andy Ward (Cpt), Neil Best, Roger Wilson.

Replacements: Nigel Brady, Ronan McCormack, Rowan Frost, Campbell Feather, Kieran Campbell, Paddy Wallace, Paul Steinmetz.