Ulster Make Nine Personnel Changes
Ulster have recalled a number of frontline players to their team for Friday’s RaboDirect PRO12 derby match against Leinster at Ravenhill (kick-off 7.05pm).
Head coach Brian McLaughlin has made nine personnel changes and a further two positional switches to the team which lost 26-21 to Connacht last weekend.
But there is no place for rested Ireland internationals Stephen Ferris and Rory Best, who last played for the province in their memorable Heineken Cup quarter-final win over Munster.
Willie Faloon, Nigel Brady, Lewis Stevenson, Tom Court, Stefan Terblanche and Paddy Jackson are the only survivors from the side that started in Galway.
Jackson has moved from inside centre to out-half in place of Ian Humphreys, with Paddy Wallace occupying the vacated spot in midfield alongside regular centre partner Darren Cave. Ruan Pienaar and Andrew Trimble also return to the starting back-line.
Up front, Court is named in his more familiar loosehead prop position after starting in the tighthead role at the Sportsground.
Declan Fitzpatrick will wear the number 3 jersey after making a welcome return from a neck injury – this will be his first taste of action in almost five months.
Johann Muller is back to captain the Ulstermen from second row where he is partnered by Stevenson, while Pedrie Wannenburg and Chris Henry are recalled to the back row alongside Faloon.
Adam Macklin remains among the replacements as front row cover, while Ian Porter makes a return to the matchday squad with fellow scrum half Paul Marshall ruled out with an elbow injury sustained against Connacht.
Ticket sales for Friday’s game have already passed the 10,000 mark but there is still availability in the Promenade, Grandstand and at both ends of the ground (behind the posts). They can be purchased online at www.ulsterrugby.com or by calling the ticket office on 02890493222 (ticketing option).
2012/13 Season Tickets are now also available and can be returned to the Ravenhill Ticket Office or processed online at the Ulster Rugby website.
ULSTER (v Leinster): Stefan Terblanche; Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, Craig Gilroy; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; Tom Court, Nigel Brady, Declan Fitzpatrick, Johann Muller (capt), Lewis Stevenson, Chris Henry, Willie Faloon, Pedrie Wannenburg.
Replacements: Andi Kyriacou, Paddy McAllister, Adam Macklin, Neil McComb, Robbie Diack, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Adam D’Arcy.