There's some serious quality to choose from in the Ulster back row but also a lot of players whose time at the province was short lived.

Stephen Ferris is a certainty at blindside, while a few very good imports compete for the No 8 shirt and there's a couple of stalwarts to choose from at openside.

We'll go with nine candidates to fill three spots across the back row rather than be strictly position specific.

As mentioned, Fez walks in at No 6. One of the best power athletes to ever play the game in this country. 'the white Samoan' was robbed of so much of his career by injury.

He still achieved more than enough to stroll into any Ulster dream team and would have a fair shout at selection in the equivalent Ireland side.

Neil Best had some great years as well, and it's not an insult to call him a slightly watered down version of Ferris. He also spent significant time at openside and may be worth looking at there.

The other candidates for the No 7 shirt are Chris Henry and Andy Ward. Denis McBride and Kieron Dawson’s time spent with Ulster in the pro era was limited to a couple of seasons in both instances. 

Both are club legends, long serving and specialist 7s but I'm going to take a liberty and accommodate Neil Best’s physicality at No 7.

The prospect of Ferris, Best and any one of the No 8 candidates lining out together promises an incredibly physical, intimidating triumvirate.

At No 8 Wannenburg, Coetzee and Williams have all had their moments. All are massive carriers and hugely physical. Aside from this trio, Tony McWhirter won a European Cup and Roger Wilson gave great service.

Eric Miller’s time at the province was too short lived for selection.

The consensus here would be that Coetzee is a better player than Williams or Wannenburg but for me he hasn’t quite been around long enough to merit inclusion so big Nick gets my vote.

From an incredible rugby family, and one of the nicest guys I’ve met in the game to boot, Williams rounds out a serious line-up.

Candidates: Neil Best, Stephen Ferris, Pedrie Wannenburg, Marcel Coetzee, Nick Williams, Andy Ward, Chris Henry, Roger Wilson

RTE selection Stephen Ferris, Neil Best, Nick Williams

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