Ulster To Field Unchanged Team In Italy

Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has selected an unchanged team for Saturday’s Heineken Cup round 4 match against Benetton Treviso at Stadio di Monigo (kick-off 2.35pm local time/1.35pm Irish time).

The province beat the same opposition 48-0 at Ravenhill last weekend. It is the first time in his year-and-a-half in charge of the Ulstermen that Mark Anscombe has named the same 23 players for two consecutive matches.

The game will be particularly significant for second row Dan Tuohy, who makes his 100th appearance for the province.

Commenting on reaching the milestone, Ireland international Tuohy said: “I was aware at the end of last season that I was sitting in the high 80s so I knew I was going to hit it at some point this year.

“It’s nice and it’s something that I will look back on at the end of my career and be proud of. Having reached 100 appearances for Ulster is definitely special.”

The match will also see tighthead prop John Afoa make his 50th appearance for Ulster and Andrew Trimble will play his 57th game in the Heineken Cup, equalling David Humphreys’ Ulster appearance record in the competition.

The game is live on Sky Sports 2 Interactive (red button) and BBC Radio Ulster (Medium wave).

Ulster Rugby match bundles, taking in seven games including Ulster’s next home Heineken Cup fixture against Montpellier, remain on sale and are available via Ticketmaster and the Ulster Rugby Ticket Office at Ravenhill.

ULSTER (v Benetton Treviso): Jared Payne; Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; Tom Court, Rob Herring, John Afoa, Johann Muller (capt), Dan Tuohy, Robbie Diack, Sean Doyle, Roger Wilson.

Replacements: Niall Annett, Callum Black, Declan Fitzpatrick, Neil McComb, Mike McComish, Paul Marshall, Michael Allen, David McIlwaine.