Ulster’s Most-Capped Player Wilson Set For Kingspan Stadium Farewell

Roger Wilson, Ulster’s most-capped player, will earn his 221st and final cap for the province when he starts at number 8 in Saturday’s sold-out GUINNESS PRO12 clash with Leinster at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 5.15pm).

While qualification for the GUINNESS PRO12 play-offs is still mathematically possible, it would require the unlikely scenario of Ulster beating table toppers Leinster with a try-scoring bonus point, the Ospreys losing to the Scarlets without any bonus points, and Ulster making up a points difference of 73.

Roger Wilson, one of an elite list of players who have made over 300 professional appearances, has enjoyed two stints at his home province, either side of a four-year spell at Northampton where he represented Saints on 117 occasions.

Ruan Pienaar, who has become a firm favourite with the Kingspan Stadium faithful during the past seven seasons, will also make his final competitive appearance for Ulster on Saturday, as he adds to his tally of 140 caps and 877 points in the Ulster jersey

Pienaar takes his place at scrum half in what is an unchanged back-line with Paddy Jackson operating outside him in the number 10 jersey. Charles Piutau, captain Andrew Trimble and Craig Gilroy provide the back-three firepower, while Ireland internationals Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall continue together in midfield.

In the pack, Wilson will be flanked by fellow loose forwards Robbie Diack and Sean Reidy. Kieran Treadwell and Alan O’Connor continue in the engine room for the sixth successive game, while in the front row, hooker Rob Herring and tighthead prop Rodney Ah You come in to join Andrew Warwick.

Named among the replacements, prop Kyle McCall is in line to make his first appearance of 2017 having recovered from a significant hamstring injury which he sustained away to Clermont Auvergne in December. John Andrew, Ricky Lutton, who comes in for the withdrawn Wiehahn Herbst (knee), Chris Henry and Nick Timoney are the other back-up forwards, while Paul Marshall, Peter Nelson and Jacob Stockdale will provide the back-line cover.

ULSTER (v Leinster): Craig Gilroy; Andrew Trimble (capt), Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Charles Piutau; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Rodney Ah You, Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor, Robbie Diack, Sean Reidy, Roger Wilson.

Replacements: John Andrew, Kyle McCall, Ricky Lutton, Chris Henry, Nick Timoney, Paul Marshall, Peter Nelson, Jacob Stockdale.