Henry To Lead Ulster In Italy

Number 8 Chris Henry has been handed the captaincy duties for Ulster’s Magners League encounter with Benetton Treviso at Stadio di Monigo on Friday (kick-off 7.05pm/6.05pm Irish time).

Ulster’s selected starting line-up also includes Paddy Wallace who has been released from the Ireland squad. Wallace will partner the fit-again Darren Cave at centre, with Cave having recovered from a hamstring injury.

The pair take over from Nevin Spence and Ian Whitten who drop to the replacements bench, while teenager Craig Gilroy, the province’s two-try hero in Cardiff, has retained his place on the right wing.

Up front, Bryan Young replaces Paddy McAllister in the front row and Tim Barker comes in for neck injury victim Johann Muller in the second row.

Stand-in captain Chris Henry moves from openside flanker to number 8 to cover for the injured Robbie Diack, with Willie Faloon donning the number 7 jersey.

Neil McComb and Phoenix Ulster Academy player Ali Birch have been added to the bench, with Dungannon flanker Birch a newcomer to Magners League rugby.

Previewing the match, which will be broadcast live on BBC 2 Northern Ireland, head coach Brian McLaughlin said: “We’re under no illusions. Treviso have only lost twice at home this season – Leicester beat them in Europe and Cardiff beat them in the Magners (League), so they’re no slouches.

“It’s going to be tough, no doubt about that. They’re exceptionally good at home and they’re a very proud team at home.

“We know exactly what we’re going into, so we’ve got to go there with all guns blazing.”

ULSTER (v Benetton Treviso): Adam D’Arcy; Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, Simon Danielli; Ian Humphreys, Paul Marshall; Bryan Young, Nigel Brady, BJ Botha, Tim Barker, Dan Tuohy, Pedrie Wannenburg, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry (capt).

Replacements: Andi Kyriacou, Paddy McAllister, Jerry Cronin, Neil McComb, Ali Birch, Ian Porter, Ian Whitten, Nevin Spence.