Baloucoune Boosts Ulster By Returning For Challenge Cup Final
Robert Baloucoune is pictured in action during Ulster's pool victory over Stade Français Paris in January ©John Dickson/Sportsfile
Robert Baloucoune’s quicker-than-expected recovery from an elbow injury has seen him parachuted straight into the Ulster team to play Montpellier in Friday’s EPCR Challenge Cup final at San Mamés Stadium (kick-off 9pm local time/8pm Irish time). Final tickets are on sale here.
Baloucoune is one of four changes made by head coach Richie Murphy to the side that beat Exeter Chiefs 29-12 in the semi-final three weeks ago. Australian international Angus Bell, James Hume, and Harry Sheridan also come into the starting XV.
Replacing fellow international Jacob Stockdale who has had surgery on a facial fracture, it will be winger Baloucoune’s first appearance for province or country since damaging his left elbow during Ireland’s Triple Crown-clinching win over Scotland in March.
With Iain Henderson suspended following his red card against the DHL Stormers, Nick Timoney will captain Ulster in Bilbao as they bid for their first title since 2006’s Celtic League success, and their first in European competition since David Humphreys lifted the Heineken Cup in 1999.
In the front row, Wallaby international Angus Bell starts at loosehead prop, with Ireland internationals Tom Stewart and Tom O’Toole starting at hooker and tighthead prop.
In the second row, Harry Sheridan and Irish international, Cormac Izuchukwu, start in the forwards’ engine room.
In the back row, David McCann is passed fit following a recent knee injury to start at blindside flanker. Captain, Nick Timoney, starts at openside flanker, while in-form South African, Juarno Augustus, starts at number eight.
Scrum-Half, Nathan Doak, starts alongside Jack Murphy at fly-half.
In the midfield centre pairing, Jude Postlethwaite starts at inside centre, while James Hume starts at outside centre.
In the back three positions, top try-scorer Zac Ward starts on the left wing, with Baloucoune starting on the right wing. Michael Lowry starts at full-back, completing the starting XV.
In a strong bench, Murphy opts for a 5:3 split, with James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Charlie Irvine and Bryn Ward the forward replacements.
Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Ethan McIlroy form the backline options for the final.
ULSTER (v Montpellier): Michael Lowry; Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Zac Ward, Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Angus Bell, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, Nick Timoney (capt), Juarno Augustus.
Replacements: James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Charlie Irvine, Bryn Ward, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Ethan McIlroy.