Three Changes For Ulster
Head coach Brian McLaughlin has finalised the Ulster team and replacements for Friday night’s Magners League showdown with the Newport Gwent Dragons at Ravenhill (kick-off 7.05pm).
There are three changes to the Ulster starting line-up from last weekend’s 19-9 Magners League victory in Treviso.
Ireland internationals Andrew Trimble and Tom Court return on the right wing and at loosehead prop respectively, with Craig Gilroy and Bryan Young the players to make way.
Young will provide back-up from the replacements bench, while the 19-year-old Gilroy, who is not eligible to play in the upcoming Heineken Cup games against Bath because he is not ERC registered, has been omitted from the squad.
Paddy Wallace has also been ruled out with a sore back and is replaced in Ulster’s midfield by Ian Whitten.
But Stephen Ferris will add to Ulster’s options on the bench, and showed good form throughout Ireland’s November matches – scoring his first two Test tries in the games against New Zealand and Argentina.
Ulster boss Brian McLaughlin said: “It is great to have the players back from the Irish squad, but the restrictions in place with regard to the management programme have to be applied, as we have done all season.
“We have a few injuries as well, but as we have seen the players who have come in and performed over the past fortnight reflect how strong our squad is and to get nine points (against Cardiff and Treviso), particularly in two away matches, is really pleasing.”
ULSTER (v Newport Gwent Dragons): Adam D’Arcy; Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Simon Danielli; Ian Humphreys, Paul Marshall; Tom Court, Nigel Brady, BJ Botha, Tim Barker, Dan Tuohy, Pedrie Wannenburg, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry (capt).
Replacements: Andi Kyriacou, Paddy McAllister, Bryan Young, Neil McComb, Stephen Ferris, Ruan Pienaar, Niall O’Connor, Nevin Spence.