Best Sidelined As Henderson Captains Ulster For Harlequins Clash
Returning Ireland internationals Iain Henderson, Jacob Stockdale and Rob Herring will start for Ulster in Sunday’s Champions Cup round 3 match against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop (kick-off 1pm).
Iain Henderson starts in the number 6 jersey in London and will captain the province in the absence of regular skipper Rory Best, who is ruled out because of a foot infection.
Sean Reidy and Nick Timoney will join Henderson in the back row, with Alan O’Connor and Kieran Treadwell retained in the second row. Wiehahn Herbst, who missed Ulster’s recent games against Benetton Rugby and the Dragons due to a calf injury, is selected in the front row alongside Rob Herring and Callum Black.
John Cooney and Christian Lealiifano will once again combine in the half-back positions, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy Bowe are retained in midfield. Jacob Stockdale, one of Ireland’s stars of the recent GUINNESS Series, joins Craig Gilroy, who scored a brace of tries last weekend at Rodney Parade, and Charles Piutau in a potent back-three.
Ballymena forwards John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Ross Kane and Matthew Rea are named on the bench, along with Chris Henry, Paul Marshall, Peter Nelson and Louis Ludik. Sunday’s game will be televised on BT Sport 3, with live radio commentary on BBC Radio Ulster and RTE Radio.
ULSTER (v Harlequins): Charles Piutau; Craig Gilroy, Tommy Bowe, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Christian Lealiifano, John Cooney; Callum Black, Rob Herring, Wiehahn Herbst, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (capt), Sean Reidy, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Ross Kane, Matthew Rea, Chris Henry, Paul Marshall, Peter Nelson, Louis Ludik.