Six Changes For Ulster Ravens
Ulster Ravens head coach Gary Longwell has made six personnel changes and three positional switches to his starting line-up to face Currie in the British & Irish Cup at Malleny Park on Friday (kick-off 7.30pm).
The Ravens travel to Scotland for their second British & Irish Cup game, a week after they opened their campaign with a comprehensive 39-7 home win over Doncaster Knights.
Andi Kyriacou replaces Nigel Brady at hooker and will also take over the captaincy. Conor Carey, Conor Joyce and Sean O’Connell will also get opportunities to impress up front as they come in for Adam Macklin, Mike McComish and Robbie Diack respectively.
Ali Birch moves from blindside flanker to the openside berth to accommodate Joyce. Neil McComb and Tim Barker continue their second row partnership.
In the backs, James McKinney steps in for Paddy Jackson at out-half, with Blane McIlroy retaining the number 9 jersey.
Chris Farrell has dropped out of the squad, so Ian Whitten moves to inside centre and Michael Allen takes over from Whitten at outside centre.
Conor Gaston occupies the right wing berth vacated by Allen, while Chris Cochrane and Peter Nelson will again start in the back-three.
ULSTER RAVENS (v Currie): Peter Nelson; Conor Gaston, Michael Allen, Ian Whitten, Chris Cochrane; James McKinney, Blane McIlroy; Callum Black, Andy Kyriacou (capt), Conor Carey, Tim Barker, Neil McComb, Conor Joyce, Ali Birch, Sean O’Connell.
Replacements: Niall Annett, Richard Lutton, James Simpson, Neil Faloon, Michael Heaney, Chris Quinn, Ricky Andrew.