Ulster Bring In Shanahan, Moore And Treadwell
Ulster head coach Dan McFarland has named his team for the first ever meeting with Racing 92 in Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup round 2 fixture in Paris (kick-off 6.30pm local time/5.30pm Irish time).
There are three changes to the side that defeated Leicester Tigers 24-10 at Kingspan Stadium. Martin Moore, who impressed on his debut as a replacement last Saturday, and Kieran Treadwell are both drafted in up front, while the injured John Cooney (AC joint) makes way for David Shanahan at scrum half.
Rory Best will captain the Ulstermen from the front row, alongside Moore and Andrew Warwick. Iain Henderson will partner the 22-year-old Treadwell in the engine room, and the back row of Marcell Coetzee, Jordi Murphy and Nick Timoney, who is gearing up for his seventh start of the season, is retained.
Apart from Shanahan, the back-line remains unchanged with Billy Burns at out-half, Jacob Stockdale and Craig Gilroy on the wings, Will Addison and Stuart McCloskey in midfield, and 20-year-old Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy prospect Michael Lowry at full-back.
Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan and Ross Kane cover the front row from the bench, with Alan O’Connor and Sean Reidy included as the additional forward options. Jonny Stewart (20) is in line for his European bow if called upon, joining Johnny McPhillips and Angus Kernohan among the back-line reserves.
ULSTER (v Racing 92): Michael Lowry; Craig Gilroy, Will Addison, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, David Shanahan; Andrew Warwick, Rory Best (capt), Martin Moore, Iain Henderson, Kieran Treadwell, Marcell Coetzee, Jordi Murphy, Nick Timoney;
Replacements: Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan, Ross Kane, Alan O’Connor, Sean Reidy, Jonny Stewart, Johnny McPhillips, Angus Kernohan.