Addison Back From Suspension For Ulster

There are 13 personnel changes to the Ulster team for Friday night’s GUINNESS PRO14 derby encounter with Connacht at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 7.35pm).

Over 17,000 tickets have already been sold for the eagerly-anticipated contest, which is heading towards a sell-out. The last remaining tickets are available at ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.

Hooker Rob Herring will lead out the side from an all-international front row which includes Martin Moore and returning loosehead Jack McGrath. Alan O’Connor and Matthew Rea are the only players retained from last week’s 54-42 defeat to Leinster.

Kieran Treadwell completes the tight five, with Sean Reidy and Marcell Coetzee added to the back row. Ulster’s back-three is boosted by the return of full-back Will Addison from suspension.

Robert Baloucoune, a try scorer against the Scarlets recently, and Louis Ludik fill the wing berths, and there is plenty of familiarity in the centre and at half-back where Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Billy Burns and John Cooney all resume.

Adam McBurney, Kyle McCall, Tom O’Toole, David O’Connor and Nick Timoney provide the forward reinforcements for Dan McFarland’s men, with David Shanahan, Bill Johnston and wily winger Craig Gilroy covering the back-line.

ULSTER (v Connacht): Will Addison; Robert Baloucoune, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik; Billy Burns, John Cooney; Jack McGrath, Rob Herring (capt), Martin Moore, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements: Adam McBurney, Kyle McCall, Tom O’Toole, David O’Connor, Nick Timoney, David Shanahan, Bill Johnston, Craig Gilroy.