Ulster Unchanged For Clash With Leaders
Both Kieran Campbell and Matt McCullough have recovered from slight injuries to be included in the Ulster team for Friday’s visit of Celtic League leaders Edinburgh to Ravenhill.
Ulster scrum-half Kieran Campbell
Both Kieran Campbell and Matt McCullough have recovered from slight injuries to be included in the Ulster team for Friday’s visit of Celtic League leaders Edinburgh to Ravenhill.
CELTIC LEAGUE: Friday, September 16
Ulster v Edinburgh Gunners, Ravenhill, kick-off 7.30pm
Ulster’s first competitive home match has seen coach Mark McCall opt for an unchanged side, in which scrum-half Campbell (shoulder) and lock McCullough (calf) are sure to be prominent.
A chip kick from Campbell paved the way for Tommy Bowe to net the province’s only try in last week’s 25-22 defeat of Cardiff, while Ballymena youngster McCullough forged a burgeoning second row partnership with Wallaby Justin Harrison at the Arms Park.
There is one change on the replacements bench – Reece Spee comes in to cover Campbell at number 9, ahead of Ballynahinch 20-year-old Paul Marshall. Adam Larkin continues as a replacement after replacing back spasm victim Jonny Bell last week.
Ulster will be defending an eight game unbeaten record at their Belfast base on Friday, and McCall knows his side cannot afford to slip up with two successive away matches to come.
“Edinburgh is a massive game for us – they are playing the best rugby in the league at the moment,” said McCall.
“They also played the best rugby in the last third of the season last year and have international players dotted through their squad. It will be a big test for us, but we have a very good side too, and are eager to play well in front of the home fans.”
Edinburgh showed strong form over the last two weekends in beating Llanelli at Stradey Park and romping past Connacht 34-3 at Murrayfield last Saturday. Former Belfast Harlequins and Ulster lock/flanker Matt Mustchin will be back at Ravenhill, but in Gunners’ black.
Edinburgh: Francisco Leonelli; Chris Paterson (Capt), Marcus Di Rollo, Rob Dewey, Simon Webster; Duncan Hodge, Mike Blair, Dave Hewett, Dougie Hall, Craig Smith, Alastair Kellock, Scott Murray, Matt Mustchin, Simon Cross, Allister Hogg.
Replacements: Andrew Kelly, Allan Jacobsen, Fergus Pringle, Alasdair Strokosch, Rory Lawson, Phil Godman, Hugo Southwell.
ULSTER: Paddy Wallace; Tommy Bowe, Kevin Maggs, Paul Steinmetz, Andrew Trimble; David Humphreys, Kieran Campbell; Justin Fitzpatrick, Paul Shields, Simon Best (Capt), Justin Harrison, Matt McCullough, Neil Best, Neil McMillan, Roger Wilson.
Replacements: Rory Best, Bryan Young, Rowan Frost, Campbell Feather, Reece Spee, Adam Larkin, James Topping.
Referee: Phil Fear (Wales)