Ulster Select Unchanged Team For Friday’s Derby
Ulster head coach Neil Doak has named the same team that recorded a bonus point win over Connacht a fortnight ago for Friday’s GUINNESS PRO12 derby match against Leinster at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 7.35pm).
Thirteen internationals are named in the squad for the interprovincial match which sold out four weeks ago. Craig Gilroy, who is currently the PRO12’s top try scorer for the season, is part of an in-form back-three.
Gilroy, Tommy Bowe and Louis Ludik – three of Ulster’s try scorers against Connacht – combine again in the back-three, with Gilroy on the left wing, Bowe on the right and Ludik starting at full-back.
Ireland internationals Darren Cave and Jared Payne continue their centre partnership with Cave starting at inside centre and Payne wearing the number 13 jersey. Paddy Jackson is named at out-half with Springbok Ruan Pienaar continuing at scrum half.
Up front, Callum Black and Wiehahn Herbst start either side of hooker and captain Rory Best in the front row. Dan Tuohy partners Franco van der Merwe in the second row, with Iain Henderson starting at blindside flanker and fellow Ireland international Chris Henry selected at openside.
Roger Wilson is named at number 8 and will draw level with Paddy Wallace as Ulster’s most-capped PRO12 player of all-time as he makes his 131st appearance in the competition.
Forwards Rob Herring, Andrew Warwick, Bronson Ross, Robbie Diack and Clive Ross join backs Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys and Stuart McCloskey on the replacements bench.
ULSTER (v Leinster): Louis Ludik; Tommy Bowe, Jared Payne, Darren Cave, Craig Gilroy; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; Callum Black, Rory Best (capt), Wiehahn Herbst, Dan Tuohy, Franco van der Merwe, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Roger Wilson.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Andrew Warwick, Bronson Ross, Robbie Diack, Clive Ross, Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys, Stuart McCloskey.