Afoa On Loosehead Side For Ulster
Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has made seven changes to the team that lost to Glasgow Warriors for Friday evening’s RaboDirect PRO12 match against Benetton Treviso at Ravenhill (kick-off 7.05pm).
Paddy Jackson and Darren Cave are named in the back-line, while Rob Herring, Declan Fitzpatrick, Lewis Stevenson, Iain Henderson and Mike McComish return to the pack.
Anscombe has also made three positional changes, the most notable of which sees stand-in captain John Afoa switch from tighthead to loosehead prop. It will be the first time that Afoa has started for Ulster at loosehead.
Andrew Trimble moves from outside centre to his more familiar position on the right wing, while Michael Allen switches flanks and will start in the number 11 shirt.
Nigel Brady, Callum Black, Neil McComb and Ali Birch drop to the bench alongside Ricky Lutton, Paul Marshall, Niall O’Connor and Chris Cochrane.
Commenting on the team selection, Mark Anscombe said: “It is good to give the guys who are on the periphery of the international team some game-time. We welcome them back and with the experience that they bring, they will only strengthen our side.”
There are fewer than 300 tickets remaining for the match. For tickets or for further information on Ulster games, please visit www.ulsterrugby.com.
ULSTER (v Benetton Treviso): Ricky Andrew; Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Stuart Olding, Michael Allen; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; John Afoa (capt), Rob Herring, Declan Fitzpatrick, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy, Iain Henderson, Mike McComish, Robbie Diack.
Replacements: Nigel Brady, Callum Black, Ricky Lutton, Neil McComb, Ali Birch, Paul Marshall, Niall O’Connor, Chris Cochrane.