Ulster v Scarlets: Teams

Scotland winger Simon Danielli will miss Ulster's Magners League clash with the Scarlets at Ravenhill on Friday.

Danielli was injured in the 30-6 victory over Connacht, with Andrew Trimble coming off the bench to take his place on the wing and Mark McCrea named among the replacements.

Head coach Brian McLaughlin has also rotated his hookers with Nigel Brady named in the starting XV and Andy Kyriacou dropping to the bench.

Also in the pack Ryan Caldwell replaces the injured Dan Tuohy, while Robbie Diack, who was originally omitted from the original 26-man squad, starts at No.8 with Willie Faloon at openside.

McLaughlin said: "We are making progress and are starting to play good, strong rugby, but we have a bit of distance to go yet. There are still improvements to be made and skills to be perfected, but we will continue to work and improve and fight our corner every week.

"It's about learning from your mistakes and continuing to make improvements after each game. I think we are making good headway.

"The players are working extremely hard and buying into the ideas that I and the other coaches; Jeremy Davidson and Neil Doak, are bring to them. We are pleased and positive about how things have gone to date."

Rested

Scarlets coach Nigel Davies will give Lions fly-half Stephen Jones his seasonal debut ahead of the return of the Heineken Cup.

Jones had been rested after playing on the tour to South Africa and will be given some much-needed match action ahead of the clash with Brive.

"Stephen will play for us on Friday which will give him an opportunity to roll into the European game," said Davies.

"He's massive for us - he has that level of experience and mental toughness on the field that we need for this game. He brings a real composure and understanding to the team and does boss games particularly well."

"It's not only what he does on the field, it is what he contributes off the field as well and he is hugely respected by all the guys."

Mark Jones and Simon Easterby are rested for the match, though, although Johnathan Edwards makes his first start of the season and prop Rhys Thomas returns.

Ulster: 15 Clinton Schifcofske, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Isaac Boss, 1 Tom Court, 2 Nigel Brady, 3 Brendon Botha, 4 Ed O'Donoghue, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 6 Stephen Ferris, 7 Willie Faloon, 8 Robbie Diack.
Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick, 18 Neil McComb, 19 TJ Anderson, 20 Paul Marshall, 21 Ian Whitten, 22 Mark McCrea.