Ulster squad for Clermont showdown named

Paddy McAllister is back in the Ulster squad for their winner-takes-all clash with ASM Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday.

The prop returns after missing the last three games through injury. Centre Darren Cave is the only player unavailable after injuring his foot against Leicester last weekend.

Nevin Spence has been back at training for over a week and will compete with Ian Whitten to partner Paddy Wallace in Cave’s absence.

Clermont haven’t lost at Stade Marcel Michelin since November 2009 - highlighting the difficulty of the task facing Ulster.

However, coach Brian McLaughlin will be quietly confident in the approach to the game following a comprehensive 41-7 win over Leicester at the weekend.

Ulster are currently top of Pool 4 on 19 points, with Clermont three behind on 16. Ulster know that a win or draw in France would be enough to secure their progression to the last eight as group winners.

Even a loss by less than five points, providing they score the same amount of tries as Clermont on Saturday, would be enough.

If Clermont win by more than that margin, Ulster will then be in contention for one of the best runner-up spots, but their fate is out of their hands.

If Toulouse and Harlequins win on Friday night, and Cardiff and Edinburgh win on Sunday, Ulster will have to settle for a place in the quarter-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup.

Provisional Ulster Squad to play ASM Clermont Auvergne (kick off 3.40pm Irish time):

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

Backs: Paul Marshall, Ruan Pienaar, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson, Paddy Wallace, Ian Whitten, Nevin Spence, Stefan Terblanche