Good old Linley has a bit more detail as per his usual Thursday piece on the Advertiser.

www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/51125/e...to-the-sportsground-

Naoupu likely to be only change from Dragons, Muldoon slots back to 6 with Concrete and Grico on the bench.

Really looking forward to this one, i think it's going to be one hell of a game regardless of how many Ulster give a rest to. Quietly confident we can get a result but we are going to have to be putting in a massive 80 mins from 1 to 23.

Great news about Johnny and George.

Got some funny tweets back, when I mentioned that Ulster are frightened of us :evil:

Great to see Johnny and George back!!

Johnny O'Connor and George Naoupu back for the weekend which should help.

Full squad named by Ulster for this weekend.
They must really fear us

Calling All Connacht Fans.....

Connacht v Ulster

Saturday 14th April 2012
The Sportsground, Galway

Fresh from their victory in the fortress Thomond, the men of Ulster travel West this Saturday to take on the resurgent Connacht in the Sportsground.

Last season's battle finished in a 15-15 draw and the Ulstermen, buoyed by their Heineken Cup triumph over Munster, are sure to be in full voice and colour while cheering their team on.

However they have not yet been to the 'new' Sportsground where the Connacht Clan will be out in force. The atmosphere in the Sportsground has been electric all-season and we call on every man, woman and child to RAISE the roof once more as one of the oldest rivalries in the country is renewed.

Ulster still fight on two fronts with challenges laid down in both the Rabodirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup tournaments but we still want to have our say and having put Ulster through in the Heineken Cup by virtue of beating Harlequins - it's time now for us to take the spoils.

Sparks are sure to fly!

• Bring Your Flag
• Wear Your Jersey, Scarf and Hat
• Clear Your Singing Voice
• Show Your Support for Connacht Rugby

Tickets on Sale NOW - www.ticketmaster.ie/Connacht-Rugby-ticke...RFC_WS&brand=ie_crfc

Pre match blurb from Connacht...

Connacht_Rugby wrote: Dear Editor

Having lost only two games in the Sportsground since the New Year, and both against Irish opposition, Connacht's towering second-row Mike McCarthy is relishing the opportunity to clash with Ulster this week.

"The inter-pros bring out the best in the guys, everyone judges you on how you go in the derby matches, more so than in other matches in the league. We had a good win against the Dragons two weeks ago but if we don't turn up against the Ulster this Saturday then that's all forgotten about really."

"Sometimes the results can be quite frustrating, we've had two good performances against both Leinster and Muster at home this season and we didn't come away with a win. Against Leinster we outscored them two trys to none and still didn't come away with the win but there has been less than a score in both matches which shows how close we've been."

With much talk about Ireland's summer tour to New Zealand and the competition for places that accompanies it the inter-provincial matches are a good testing ground for the national coaches to cast their eye over the contenders but this doesn't ruffle Mike:

"You can't look too much into it and you try not to change anything just because it's an inter-pro. You just go out every game and put in the best performance you personally can do, it doesn't really matter who you are playing against, you just go out and try and be the best you can be in every match and hope that these things look after themselves."

Nevertheless it's likely that there will be some key pairings when the teams are announced this Friday and the make-up of the summer tour party may well depend on a number of individual battles. Match-ups such as Brett Wilkinson and Ronan Loughney opposite Tom Court in the front-row, Dan Tuohy against Mike McCarthy in the second-row and John Muldoon versus Chris Henry in the back-row. Furthermore out in the backs there should be fierce competition with Tiernan O'Halloran, Eoin Griffin, Dave McSharry and captain Gavin Duffy all holding their hand up for selection against the quartet of Andrew Trimble, Ian Whitten, Darren Cave and Craig Gilroy which should give the Irish selectors plenty to think about long after the final whistle.

Last season's clash in the Sportsground ended in a draw but this season Ulster will have to contend with the newly refurbished stadium and the support of the Clan Terrace. Asked about the effect that has on the home team Mike said:

"The atmosphere in the Sportsground, especially the Clan Terrace, has been unbelievable all season. The crowds have been great It has made a big difference for us on the pitch, it really helps massively and gives you a huge boost when you hear the roars."

"This will be a massive test for us, Ulster are flying high, they had a well deserved victory in the Heineken Cup last weekend, they're going well on both fronts, in the Heineken Cup and PRO12 but you always want to test yourself against the best teams so even though it will be a tough game it's one were really looking forward to."

ConnachtCow

Think you are right. Think Ulster will focus on HC, easier of the 2 SF's and 'home' advantage as well.

Will be there as well, 2 east coast supporters in the Sportsground at the same time, can they deal with this.

Really looking forward to this game.
I think we can beat them as well.

Going to be my first time back in the Sportsground since the Quins game. I hope there's a big turnout.

Come on the Cows, Moooooo

Can't see Ferris, Pienaar or a couple more playing, but they might do and end up being rested for the Leinster game before the semi final, whichever way their side is picked, we need a big performance. All of their fringe players have a lot to prove and are a team high on confidence at the moment.

Too many variables for me to make a call, I'll just wait for McLaughlin to name his team. I won't be surprised whichever way he goes. I'm sure he's confident enough in any number of second choice players to get the job done against Connacht. Connacht likewise should be confident enough in themselves to beat any Ulster side named.

Big congrats to Ulster for beating Munster.
So how many players will rested this weekend against Connacht.
Id say Ferris will definately be rested to give that ankle injury a break.