Payne And Best Bolster Ulster For Glasgow Match
Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss has named his team for the GUINNESS PRO12 round 4 trip to Scotstoun Stadium to take on Glasgow Warriors on Friday night (kick-off 7.35pm).
Les Kiss has made a total of nine personnel and positional changes as Ulster hope to maintain their unbeaten run of three wins from the opening three games.
Returning Ireland international Jared Payne will make his first appearance of the season, starting at full-back in a back-three that sees Charles Piutau move to the left wing with Louis Ludik on the right.
Ruan Pienaar and Paddy Jackson, who have both already picked up man-of-the-match awards in the opening three rounds, are retained at half-back, while Stuart McCloskey will be joined in the midfield by Darren Cave.
Rob Herring will captain the side from hooker and will be joined in the front row by Andrew Warwick and Rodney Ah You. Franco van der Merwe comes in to join Alan O’Connor in the second row.
Following a try-scoring second half appearance in last week’s home victory over the Scarlets, Iain Henderson will start against Glasgow and will be partnered in the back row by Sean Reidy and Roger Wilson.
Ireland captain Rory Best will hope to make his first appearance of the season as he makes up a strong looking list of replacements alongside fellow forwards Callum Black, Ross Kane, Peter Browne and Clive Ross. Paul Marshall, Stuart Olding and Robert Lyttle will cover the back-line from the bench.
ULSTER (v Glasgow Warriors): Jared Payne; Louis Ludik, Darren Cave, Stuart McCloskey, Charles Piutau; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring (capt), Rodney Ah You, Alan O’Connor, Franco van der Merwe, Iain Henderson, Sean Reidy, Roger Wilson.
Replacements: Rory Best, Callum Black, Ross Kane, Peter Browne, Clive Ross, Paul Marshall, Stuart Olding, Roert Lyttle.