Prop Lutton To Lead Ulster Ravens
Ricky Lutton will captain the Ulster Ravens – sponsored by CD Group – on Friday evening as they take on Ayr in Pool 6 of the British and Irish Cup at Deramore Park (kick-off 7.30pm).
Ulster Ravens head coach Allen Clarke has made two changes to the team that suffered a 41-22 defeat to Ayr in Millbrae last weekend, with David Busby and Paul Jackson called off the bench to start at right wing and hooker respectively.
Busby is joined in the back-three by Ricky Andrew and Peter Nelson, while the experienced Paddy Wallace combines with Stuart McCloskey in midfield.
James McKinney is selected at out-half, with Michael Heaney continuing at scrum half.
In the pack, captain Ricky Lutton is joined by Jackson in the front row with Kyle McCall selected at loosehead prop.
Matthew Rea and Marc Campbell are picked in the second row but swap numbers, with Rea wearing the number 4 jersey and Campbell donning the number 5 shirt.
The back row is unchanged with Conor Joyce and Frank Taggart selected either side of number 8 Adrian Hamilton.
Speaking ahead of the game, out-half James McKinney said: “Having Paddy beside me was a massive help last weekend, he knows exactly what he’s doing, he has been around for a long time.
“He was definitely a calming influence in Ayr and has helped me to get over the disappointment of that game and to move on this week. It was great to see him back and it’s just a pity on his first run out the team didn’t do too well.
“The plan for this week is to get the head down and focus, to rectify the mistakes we made against Ayr away and hopefully we can turn things around in front of a home crowd at Deramore on Friday.
“We have seen what they can do on the pitch, what their strengths and weaknesses are and it’s time for us to get the basics right and make amends for last weekend.”
If you wish to go along and support the Ulster Ravens, tickets are available on the gate from 7pm.
Tickets are priced at £8 for adults, £15 for a family ticket (two adults and two children), £5 for youths and OAPs and it is free entry for those under 12. This match is not included in an Ulster Rugby Season ticket.
ULSTER RAVENS (v Ayr): Ricky Andrew; David Busby, Stuart McCloskey, Paddy Wallace, Peter Nelson; James McKinney, Michael Heaney; Kyle McCall, Paul Jackson, Ricky Lutton (capt), Matthew Rea, Marc Campbell, Conor Joyce, Frank Taggart, Adrian Hamilton.
Replacements: Jonny Murphy, Adam Macklin, Josh Atkinson, Daniel Dass, David Shanahan, Ross Adair, Adam Liddell.