The Ulstermen will be hoping their good recent form continues for this sold-out Kingspan Stadium clash, with the visiting Scarlets still chasing their first away victory in any competition since February 2014.
GUINNESS PRO12: Friday, February 27
ULSTER (2nd) v SCARLETS (7th), Kingspan Stadium, 7.35pm (live BBC 2 Northern Ireland)
Team News: Ian Humphreys is set to make his 100th Ulster appearance after being named in the team for tonight’s GUINNESS PRO12 encounter with the Scarlets at Kingspan Stadium.
In one of three changes to the starting team, Ireland international Dan Tuohy has returned from injury to take his place in the second row, while new signing Mike Stanley could make his debut after being named among the replacements.
The sole change in the back-line sees Luke Marshall replace the suspended Stuart McCloskey at inside centre. Marshall links up with Darren Cave in midfield, while Humphreys and Ruan Pienaar will orchestrate things from half-back. Elsewhere, Louis Ludik, Craig Gilroy and Michael Allen make up the back-three.
Callum Black, Rob Herring and Wiehahn Herbst are retained in an unchanged front row and Franco van der Merwe will partner Tuohy in the engine room.
Roger Wilson will again captain the side from blindside flanker, with Nick Williams continuing at the base of the scrum and Clive Ross taking over from Mike McComish in the number 7 jersey. Tim Boys picked up a toe injury in training and is unavailable for selection.
Ballymena duo John Andrew and Andrew Warwick provide front row cover along with Bronson Ross, and Lewis Stevenson and McComish are listed as the other forward replacements. Paul Marshall, Stanley and Rory Scholes, who returns to the Ulster squad having recovered from injury, complete the matchday 23.
The Scarlets fixture on Friday is sold out but tickets for Ulster’s upcoming home games against Cardiff Blues and Leinster are available through Ticketmaster.
Meanwhile, George Earle comes in to the second row for fellow South African Johan Snyman (concussion) in the only change to the Scarlets team that drew with Munster in Llanelli last Saturday.
Last week’s man-of-the-match, Hadleigh Parkes, will make his 10th appearance for the Scarlets as he partners with fellow Kiwi Regan King in the centre.
Llanelli RFC’s loosehead prop Rhys Thomas comes in on the bench as front row cover, with Rob Evans unavailable due to international duty. Thomas’ first and only appearance for the Scarlets so far came in the LV= Cup clash with Sale Sharks earlier this month.
Welsh-qualified Australian lock Jack Payne will be hoping to make his PRO12 debut as a replacement, having made two appearances in the LV= Cup against London Irish and Sale Sharks. Winger Kristian Phillips is the third change to last week’s bench.
ULSTER: Louis Ludik; Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Michael Allen; Ian Humphreys, Ruan Pienaar; Callum Black, Rob Herring, Wiehahn Herbst, Dan Tuohy, Franco van der Merwe, Roger Wilson (capt), Clive Ross, Nick Williams.
Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Bronson Ross, Lewis Stevenson, Mike McComish, Paul Marshall, Mike Stanley, Rory Scholes.
SCARLETS: Jordan Williams; Harry Robinson, Regan King, Hadleigh Parkes, Michael Tagicakibau; Steven Shingler, Aled Davies; Phil John, Ken Owens (capt), Peter Edwards, George Earle, Lewis Rawlins, Aaron Shingler, James Davies, John Barclay.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rhys Thomas, Jacobie Adriaanse, Jack Payne, Rob McCusker, Gareth Davies, Adam Warren, Kristian Phillips.
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Kieran Barry, Dermot Blake (both Ireland)
Television Match Official: Marshall Kilgore (Ireland)
Pre-Match Quotes: Luke Marshall (Ulster) – “The first half of the season was pretty frustrating for me due to the amount of competition and a couple of injuries as well, so I’m now enjoying being back in the team and the squad in general and just playing rugby really.
“We’re two out of two (for this block of PRO12 games) at the moment so there’s no reason why we can’t go for it, especially with this one (the Scarlets) at home and then against the Dragons away.
“We’re currently playing teams outside the top four or six and then the top four sides are playing against each other so in some ways all that suits us. Now that we’ve won three on the bounce (including last month’s away win at Treviso) there is a lot more confidence throughout the squad. It’s also nice to be back home.”
Wayne Pivac (Scarlets) – “We go away to Ulster knowing it’s a different challenge playing away from home but the boys are really keen to get over there and have a real crack.
“It’s been talked about quite a bit, our form at home compared to our form on the road. Since the LV= Cup block there’s been a few changes to the way we’re operating. I’d like to think we’ll go over there and give a good showing.
“Ulster are a very tough side at home. We’ve had three really good games with them (this season), we got the win at home, they got the win at home and then there was that great game in the opening round (of the PRO12) which was a draw. This is the decider.”
Top Scorers – 2014/15 GUINNESS PRO12: Ulster – Points: Ian Humphreys 81; Tries: Craig Gilroy 5; Scarlets – Points: Steve Shingler 89; Tries: Liam Williams 5
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Sunday, December 2, 2012 – Scarlets 12 Ulster 19, Parc y Scarlets
Friday, January 4, 2013 – Ulster 47 Scarlets 17, Ravenhill
Friday, May 10, 2013 – Semi-final – Ulster 28 Scarlets 17, Ravenhill
Saturday, November 2, 2013 – Scarlets 17 Ulster 9, Parc y Scarlets
Friday, March 14, 2014 – Ulster 26 Scarlets 13, Ravenhill
Saturday, September 6, 2014 – Scarlets 32 Ulster 32, Parc y Scarlets
MATCH FACTS:
– Ulster have won their last three matches in all competitions and have lost just once at Kingspan Stadium in the GUINNESS PRO12 since the start of the 2013/14 season: 22-20 to Leinster in round 21 last year
– The Scarlets have won just two of their last seven PRO12 fixtures, both at home, to the Ospreys and Connacht, while the Welshmen have not won away from home in any competition since February 8, 2014 on a trip to Treviso in the PRO12
– The two sides have already met on three occasions this season with each team winning its respective home game in the European Champions Cup, and sharing a 32-all draw at Parc y Scarlets on the opening weekend of the PRO12 campaign
– The Scarlets have not been victorious in Belfast since September 2008
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