Trimble, Gilroy And Payne To Start For Ulster
Ireland backs Andrew Trimble, Craig Gilroy and Jared Payne have been included in the Ulster back-line for Friday’s crucial GUINNESS PRO12 match against Benetton Treviso at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 7.35pm).
Springbok back rower Marcell Coetzee is also named in the starting XV after recovering from an illness that saw him miss last Sunday’s bonus point win over Zebre.
Les Kiss will start Craig Gilroy at full-back for the first time this season, while Andrew Trimble and Charles Piutau will occupy the wing berths.
Payne, who featured off the bench against the Italians, will start in the 13 jersey, with Stuart Olding alongside him in midfield. Peter Nelson and Ruan Pienaar will continue their successful half-back partnership for the fourth consecutive match.
Rob Herring will again captain the side from hooker and he will be joined in the front row by props Callum Black and Wiehahn Herbst. Kieran Treadwell and Franco van der Merwe will pack down in the second row and the loose forwards are Coetzee, Roger Wilson and Sean Reidy.
John Andrew, Andrew Warwick and Ricky Lutton will provide back-up for the front row, with Peter Browne and Clive Ross named as the additional forward replacements. Paul Marshall, Luke Marshall and Jacob Stockdale will offer strong cover for the back-line.
Almost 15,000 tickets have been sold for Friday’s round 17 game, but there is still availability in some areas – please visit ulsterrugby.com/buytickets for details.
ULSTER (v Benetton Treviso): Craig Gilroy; Andrew Trimble, Jared Payne, Stuart Olding, Charles Piutau; Peter Nelson, Ruan Pienaar; Callum Black, Rob Herring (capt), Wiehahn Herbst, Kieran Treadwell, Franco van der Merwe, Roger Wilson, Sean Reidy, Marcell Coetzee;
Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Ricky Lutton, Peter Browne, Clive Ross, Paul Marshall, Luke Marshall, Jacob Stockdale.