ULSTER WILL GIVE Stephen Ferris every chance to prove his fitness ahead of Sunday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster in Thomond Park.
Ferris was included in coach Brian McLaughlin’s provisional squad this morning, although it is still unclear if he will recover from an ankle injury in time for the trip to Limerick.
A scan on Monday showed that the flanker suffered significant muscle and ligament damage during last week’s win against Aironi in the RaboDirect Pro12 and, although he is progressing well, a final decision is unlikely to be taken until the latest possible moment.
Back-row Mike McComish is named in the extended squad for the first time since suffering a concussion over a month ago.
Tim Barker (back) and Simon Danielli (hamstring) remain sidelined by injury, while James McKinney (shoulder) and Chris Coachrane (foot) are also ruled out.
Provisional Ulster squad to face Munster
Forwards: Callum Black, Tom Court, Adam Macklin, Declan Fitzpatrick, John Afoa, Paddy McAllister, Rory Best, Nigel Brady, Andi Kyricaou, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy, Johann Muller (captain), Neil McComb, Stephen Ferris, Mike McComish, Willie Faloon, Pedrie Wannenburg, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack.
Backs: Paul Marshall, Ruan Pienaar, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson, Luke Marshall, Paddy Wallace, Ian Whitten, Nevin Spence, Darren Cave, Stefan Terblanche, Conor Gaston, Craig Gilroy, Andrew Trimble, Adam D’Arcy.
