Brian McLaughlin has announced a 31-man squad ahead of this Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 match against Connacht at Ravenhill.

The extended squad boats a full complement of international players this week with Irish internationals Rory Best and Stephen Ferris, who were rested last week as part of the IRFU’s Player Management Programme, named along with All-Black John Afoa who will jet into Belfast on Wednesday and who is set to feature during Saturday’s match at some stage.

The Ulster starting XV and replacements will be named on Friday.

Tickets for the match are still available, and can be purchased from www.ulsterrugby.com or the Ravenhill Ticket Office on 028 9049 3222. Gates open at 4pm for a 5.35pm kick off.

FORWARDS

Tom Court, John Afoa, Paddy McAllister, Adam Macklin, Callum Black, Andi Kyriacou, Nigel Brady, Rory Best, Johann Muller, Tim Barker, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy, Neil McComb, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack, Mike McComish, Pedrie Wannenburg, Willie Faloon, Stephen Ferris

BACKS

Ruan Pienaar, Paul Marshall, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson, Paddy Wallace, Ian Whitten, Nevin Spence, Darren Cave, Andrew Trimble, Craig Gilroy, Simon Danielli, Adam D’Arcy