Humphreys and Wannenburg fit for Ulster

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• BBC commentator Jim Neilly previews Ulster's crucial Heineken Cup clash with Leicester at Ravenhill.

Ian Humphreys (hamstring) and Pedrie Wannenburg (ankle) have won their fitness battles and have been named in the Ulster team to face the Leicester Tigers in the Heineken Cup at Ravenhill tomorrow, Friday 13 January, kick-off 8pm.

The starting XV shows just one change from that named ahead of last week's match against Edinburgh with Paddy Wallace, who made a 20 minute cameo on his return from a hand injury named in the centre. He replaces Ian Whitten who moves to the bench.

"The whole team has performed well in recent weeks but we have worked on a few things in training this week to ensure that we are in peak condition and are raring to go." said Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin.

"The game at Welford Road in Round 2 was very tight and we were really disappointed to come away with nothing.

"To beat Leicester, you have to beat them up front. They play a game based on their set-piece, and that aspect of the game will be crucial for us."

Elsewhere amongst the replacements Nigel Brady is preferred to Andi Kyriacou to cover the hooker berth and will make his 100th appearance for Ulster should he take the field during the game.

"Nigel has been a fantastic servant to Ulster Rugby over the years," said McLaughlin.

"He is an integral member of the squad and has the respect of his team mates and all the staff at Ulster Rugby. He is an Ulsterman through and through and he takes great pride in his performance when he takes the field."

The Ulster players, management and supporters got an extra boost ahead of the game this week with yesterday's news that scrum-halves Ruan Pienaar and Paul Marshall have each committed to the club for another two years

"It’s great to have Ruan and Paul with us for another couple of years" said the Ulster coach.

"They have both shown this season that they are excellent players and it’s a great boost that they’ve decided to stay. Paul is unlucky not to be starting this week; it was a very tight call. Depending on what way the game is going, he is a great option to have on the bench because we know he can make a real impact if he comes on."

Ulster team to play Leicester in the Heineken Cup on Friday 13 January: S Terblanche; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, R Pienaar (1-8) T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (Captain), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg

Replacements: N Brady, C Black, A Macklin, L Stevenson, W Faloon, P Marshall, I Whitten, A D'Arcy