ULSTER'S newest recruit, South African prop, Brendon James Botha has been named on the Ulster squad to face Llanelli Scarlets in the Magners League opener on Friday night at Ravenhill.
He only flew into the Province on Sunday, but trained with the squad on Monday morning and the Ulster head coach, Matt Williams, had no hesitation in selecting the tighthead prop on his squad.
It would be expected the 28-year-old could start alongside Rory Best and Justin Fitzpatrick in the front row.
The 17-times capped Springbok, who was part of the World Cup winning squad in France last year, is a huge asset for Ulster.
Meanwhile, six of the seven new signings from the summer have been included in Williams' squad selection for the first competitive game of the season.
Botha, Ed O'Donoghue (lock), Robbie Diack (No 8), Timoci Nagusa (winger), Clinton Schifcoske (back) and Cillian Willis (scrumhalf) are set to earn their first Ulster caps.
ULSTER:
Forwards
Justin Fitzpatrick; Nigel Brady; Tom Court; Rory Best; Brendan Botha; Carlo Del Fava; Ed O'Donoghue; Ryan Caldwell; David Pollock; Matt McCullough; Kieron Dawson; Robbie Diack.
Backs
Isaac Boss; Paddy Wallace; Timoci Nagusa; Rob Dewey; Darren Cave; Andrew Trimble; Clinton Schisfoske; Cillian Willis; Niall O'Connor; Bryn Cunningham.