RUGBY: Botha jets in to boost Ulster front row
FEARS over the fitness of Ireland hooker Rory Best have receded after it was revealed his neck injury is only tissue damage.
Best had to be replaced in the second half of Ulster's 27-26 Magners League victory over the Ospreys on Friday night.
The 28-year-old had a disc removed from his neck early last season as he battled with a career-threatening injury.
But Ulster have allayed concerns that he may have aggravated the problem.
"Following investigation by his surgeon Ulster can confirm that, contrary to speculation, Rory has sustained no new injury or any further damage to his neck," a spokeswoman said yesterday.
"The injury has been confirmed as soft tissue irritation. Rory will have ongoing treatment and assessment this week with a view to his availability for selection."
However, Ulster may not have had their skipper for this week's tricky trip to Italy, where they are due to face newcomers to the league, Aironi on Saturday.
Best may well have been rested as part of the IRFU player management programme.
Meanwhile, Ulster look set to have South African international prop, BJ Botha in today's extended squad, which is due to be announced at lunchtime.
The Springbok returned to Belfast on Friday night just as Ulster were defeating Ospreys 27-26 in their opening league match.
He had been involved in the South African's Tri-Nations campaign, which finished last weekend, although he has been on two weeks rest and would be expected to come straight into the Ulster side.
While Ulster were on a high on Friday night after the fantastic win over the defending champions, head coach, Brian McLaughlin was keen to keep the players' feet on the ground.
"We set out what we achieved to do against Ospreys and that was win. It was a gutsy backs to the wall display, and while the performance may not have where we would have wanted it to be we got the result we sought.
"But we have a very tough fixture coming up this weekend in Italy, and we know we are going to get a real big welcome when we go to Aironi.
"This is their first competitive match in the Magners League, in front of their own supporters, and they will be looking to mark the occasion with a win.
"While we need to know a bit about our opposition, and we got the opportunity to see them against Munster on Saturday night, we will also have to make sure we are right again for the next challenge."
Aironi went toe-to-toe with Munster during the first half of their match in Cork's Musgrave Park before finally losing 33-17 to the former double European Cup winners.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
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