Ulster Unchanged For Borders Trip
Neil McMillan and James Topping have both beaten injury to be included in an unchanged Ulster starting XV for Saturday night’s Celtic League trip to the Border Reivers.
Ulster flanker Neil McMillan kicking clear
Neil McMillan and James Topping have both beaten injury to be included in an unchanged Ulster starting XV for Saturday night’s Celtic League trip to the Border Reivers.
CELTIC LEAGUE: Saturday, October 15
Border Reivers v Ulster, Netherdale, 7.30pm (live BBC Radio Ulster MW)
Young flanker McMillan has recovered from shoulder bruising he sustained midway through the first half of last week’s 36-10 victory over Connacht, while Ballymena flyer Topping has come through a fitness test on an Achilles tendon strain.
There are changes on the Ulster replacements bench – Dungannon tyro Stephen Ferris and Ireland Sevens speedster Andrew Maxwell come in for Campbell Feather and Tyrone Howe respectively.
The 20-year-old Ferris, who previously played for Portadown, made an oustanding contribution to the Ulster ‘A’ team’s recent match with their Leinster counterparts.
Dungannon coach Jeremy Davidson rates number 8 Ferris, a leading player for Ireland at last summer’s Under-21 World Cup in Argentina, highly.
“Stephen is an outstanding individual and has improved greatly with Ulster,” said the former Ireland and Lions lock.
“He is a remarkable athlete. He has got huge potential at only 20 years of age. He is already one of the best players around.”
REIVERS Squad: tbc
ULSTER: Bryn Cunningham; Tommy Bowe, Kevin Maggs, Andrew Trimble, James Topping; David Humphreys, Kieran Campbell; Justin Fitzpatrick, Rory Best, Simon Best (Capt), Justin Harrison, Matt McCullough, Neil Best, Neil McMillan, Roger Wilson.
Replacements: Paul Shields, Bryan Young, Rowan Frost, Stephen Ferris, Isaac Boss, Paddy Wallace, Andrew Maxwell.
Referee: Phil Fear (Wales)