Magners League: Aironi v Ulster (Sat)

MAGNERS LEAGUE
Venue: Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana Date: Saturday, 11 September
Kick-off: 1805 GMT Coverage: Live video on the BBC Sport Website

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Coach Brian McLaughlin says Ulster will find it tough against Magners League new boys Aironi

Ulster have made five changes for the Magners League clash against Aironi in Italy on Saturday.

Tom Court, Chris Henry and Paddy Wallace make their first starts since touring with Ireland in the summer.

Nigel Brady and Robbie Diack also come into the side, which is without rested Ireland forward duo Rory Best and Stephen Ferris.

Magners League newcomers Aironi have made no changes to the team which lost 33-17 to Munster last weekend.

Court comes into the starting line-up at the expense of Bryan Young while Brady assumes the hooker berth with Andi Kyriacou providing cover.

In the back row Pedrie Wannenburg makes a positional switch from number eight to the blind-side flank to cover for the rested Ferris, Willie Faloon moves to the bench to make way for Chris Henry at open-side while Diack, who was one of last week's replacements, starts at number eight.

They will be aggressive and physical, they played exceptionally well against Munster last weekend. Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin

Ian Whitten drops to the bench to make way for Paddy Wallace's return.

The other notable change is amongst the replacements, with Jamie Smith coming in for Jonny Shiels having recovered from an eye injury sustained in the opening friendly against Bath at Ravenhill.

Experienced Aironi hooker Fabio Ongaro has recovered from a thumb injury and the Italian side includes Carlo Del Fava, who spent two years playing for Ulster.

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin said he wanted to build on his team's opening 27-26 success over league champions Ospreys.

"That was a great performance with lots of pride and passion. Now we have to go to Italy to get something," said McLaughlin.

"This is Aironi's first home game in the Magners League. They will be aggressive and physical, they played exceptionally well against Munster last weekend.

"They have a good pack which is well directed by Mercier. They have signed well, key for them is Bortolami in the line-out."

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Aironi: J Laharrague, G Rubini, R Quartaroli, D Des Fountain, G Toniolatti, L Mercier, T Tebaldi, A de Marchi, F Ongaro, S Perugini, C del Fava, Q Geldenhuys, J Erasmus, G Krause, N Williams.
Replacements: A de Marchi, L Ferraro, L Redolfini, M Bortolami, J Sole, P Canavosio, A Benettin, P Gabriel.

Ulster: Adam D'Arcy; Tommy Seymour, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, David McIlwaine; Niall O'Connor, Paul Marshall; Tom Court, Nigel Brady, Declan Fitzpatrick, Johann Muller (capt), Tim Barker, Pedrie Wannenburg, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack.
Replacements: Andi Kyriacou, Bryan Young, Paddy McAllister, Ryan Caldwell, Willie Faloon, Ian Porter, Ian Whitten, Jamie Smith.