With three pool victories in a row, Ulster are on the cusp of qualifying for the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals for the first time in five years. It all rests on their final round trip to Welford Road – the first of this weekend’s three mouth-watering Anglo-Irish clashes.
HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP – POOL 4: Saturday, January 19
LEICESTER TIGERS (4th) v ULSTER (2nd), Welford Road, 3.15pm (live BT Sport 2/BBC Radio Ulster 1341 MW/RTÉ Radio 1/highlights Virgin Media One)
Team News: Iain Henderson’s quicker-than-expected recovery from thumb surgery will see him make his 100th appearance for Ulster today in their crucial Heineken Champions Cup round 6 tie with Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.
Head coach Dan McFarland has made just one change to the team that recorded a memorable 26-22 win over Pool 4 leaders Racing 92 at Kingspan Stadium last Saturday, which leaves the province’s quarter-final qualification destiny in their own hands.
Having been named in the Ireland Six Nations squad on Wednesday, Henderson’s return from injury is a welcome boost for the Ulstermen. He rejoins Kieran Treadwell in the second row, supporting the Rory Best-led front row in an otherwise unchanged pack.
In the back-line, David Shanahan, who was a late call-up to the starting XV last weekend, retains his place at scrum half. John Cooney, whose back injury forced his withdrawal from the side in round 5, will provide cover on the bench.
Out-half Billy Burns has been cleared to start after a scan on a calf injury, the in-form Will Addison and Stuart McCloskey are also retained in the midfield, and the tournament’s top try scorer Jacob Stockdale and Academy talent Robert Baloucoune, who scored Ulster’s three tries against Racing between them, continue on the wings with Louis Ludik completing the back-three.
Rob Herring, Andrew Warwick and Ross Kane are the front row reserves, with Alan O’Connor and Nick Timoney chosen as the other forward options. Cooney, 20-year-old Academy starlet Michael Lowry and Darren Cave are the back-line reinforcements at McFarland’s disposal.
Meanwhile, Ben Youngs will go joint-third on the list of Leicester Tigers’ European Cup caps holders after being named in the team to face Ulster. The England scrum half will make his 68th tournament appearance, moving level with Louis Deacon on the club’s list, behind only Martin Corry (69) and current head coach Geordan Murphy (74).
Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, George Ford and Dan Cole, who have all been named in England’s Six Nations squad, return to the starting line-up after missing the 33-10 defeat to the Scarlets in Llanelli last weekend.
Jake Kerr, called up by Scotland for the first time this week, and Jonah Holmes, who will join up with the Wales squad for the start of their Six Nations campaign, are also included for the bottom-placed Tigers’ final European outing of the season.
Listed on the bench, Sam Aspland-Robinson is set to make his first senior appearance at Welford Road since his summer move from Harlequins. Former Ireland international Murphy said: “We’ve got a few bodies back this week and we’re looking forward to getting back out in front of our home crowd.”
LEICESTER TIGERS: Jonah Holmes; Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Matt Toomua, Jordan Olowofela; George Ford (capt), Ben Youngs; Greg Bateman, Jake Kerr, Dan Cole, Mike Fitzgerald, Graham Kitchener, Mike Williams, Brendon O’Connor, Sione Kalamafoni.
Replacements: Ross McMillan, Facundo Gigena, Joe Heyes, Harry Wells, Will Evans, Ben White, Joe Ford, Sam Aspland-Robinson.
ULSTER: Louis Ludik; Robert Baloucoune, Will Addison, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, David Shanahan; Eric O’Sullivan, Rory Best (capt), Martin Moore, Iain Henderson, Kieran Treadwell, Sean Reidy, Jordi Murphy, Marcell Coetzee;
Replacements: Rob Herring, Andrew Warwick, Ross Kane, Alan O’Connor, Nick Timoney, John Cooney, Michael Lowry, Darren Cave.
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (France)
Assistant Referees: Laurent Cardona, Luc Ramos (both France)
Television Match Official: Philippe Bonhoure (France)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Leicester Tigers to win: 11/10; Draw: 16/1; Ulster to win: 5/6
Pre-Match Quotes: Sean Reidy (Ulster) – “Obviously there have been a lot of people coming and going and that’s coaches included, but I think we’ve really galvanised as a team – especially over these last 10 or so weeks. I think we’re heading in the right direction, especially last weekend when times were tough and Racing were really attacking well and we came together and got over the line.
“Leicester have a strong history and over the past 10 or 15 years they were at the forefront of the professional era. They won a lot of titles. But Ulster have gone away from home in Europe and put in performances and we know that if we go over there and play well as a team and as a collective that at the end of the day we’ll be in a good place.
“(In the opening round game at home to Leicester) I felt in that second half we really kicked on and in the last 20 we started to get a bit of access into their half and got a few tries there. We know what they’re like, they’ve got some big ball carriers in there, big lads, and a lot of experience as well. We know we’re going to have to go there and bring our ‘A’ game.”
Geordan Murphy (Leicester Tigers) – “Home performances in December and January have been pretty good with the wins against Harlequins and Gloucester in the league and there have been a lot of positive pictures we can focus on.
“We made a lot of changes last week and it was important we got guys some game-time, but we’ve got a few back this week. Ulster are a quality side, they have a lot of internationals, they play combative style and they were very impressive in beating Racing last week.”
Current Form – Leicester Tigers – (Gallagher Premiership): Lost 40-6 v Exeter Chiefs (away), Won 49-33 v Newcastle Falcons (home), Lost 41-35 v Wasps (away), Lost 44-37 v Worcester Warriors (home), Won 19-15 v Sale Sharks (home), Won 23 15 v Northampton Saints (away); (Heineken Champions Cup): Lost 24-10 v Ulster (away), Won 45-27 v Scarlets (home); (Premiership Rugby Cup): Lost 29-21 v Saracens (away), Lost 31-12 v Worcester Warriors (home), Lost 18-16 v Sale Sharks (home); (Gallagher Premiership): Lost 36-13 v Gloucester (away), Lost 27-22 v Saracens (home), Lost 41-10 v Bristol Bears (away); (Heineken Champions Cup): Lost 36-26 v Racing 92 (away), Lost 34-11 v Racing 92 (home); (Gallagher Premiership): Won 35-24 v Harlequins (home), Lost 23-16 v Bath (away), Won 34-16 v Gloucester (home); (Heineken Champions Cup): Lost 33-10 v Scarlets (away)
Ulster – (GUINNESS PRO14): Won 15-13 v Scarlets (home), Won 30-29 v Edinburgh (home), Won 28-7 v Isuzu Southern Kings (away), Drew 39-39 v Toyota Cheetahs (away), Lost 64-7 v Munster (away), Lost 22-15 v Connacht (home); (Heineken Champions Cup): Won 24-10 v Leicester Tigers (home), Lost 44-12 v Racing 92 (away); (GUINNESS PRO14): Won 36-18 v Dragons (home), Won 15-10 v Benetton Rugby (away), Lost 29-12 v Scarlets (away), Won 16-12 v Cardiff Blues (home); (Heineken Champions Cup): Won 25-24 v Scarlets (away), Won 30-15 v Scarlets (home); (GUINNESS PRO14): Won 19-12 v Munster (home), Lost 21-12 v Connacht (away), Lost 40-7 v Leinster (away); (Heineken Champions Cup): Won 26-22 v Racing 92 (home)
Top Scorers – 2018/19 Heineken Champions Cup: Leicester Tigers – Points: George Ford 35; Tries: Manu Tuilagi 3; Ulster – Points: Jacob Stockdale 30; Tries: Jacob Stockdale 6
Previous European Meetings: 9
Saturday, October 13, 2018 – Pool 4 – Ulster 24 Leicester Tigers 10, Kingspan Stadium
Saturday. January 24, 2015 – Pool 3 – Ulster 26 Leicester Tigers 7, Kingspan Stadium
Saturday, October 18, 2014 – Pool 3 – Leicester Tigers 25 Ulster 18, Welford Road
Saturday, January 18, 2014 – Pool 5 – Leicester Tigers 19 Ulster 22, Welford Road
Friday, October 11, 2013 – Pool 5 – Ulster 22 Leicester Tigers 16, Ravenhill
Friday, January 13, 2011 – Pool 4 – Ulster 41 Leicester Tigers 7, Ravenhill
Saturday, November 19, 2011 – Pool 4 – Leicester Tigers 20 Ulster 9, Welford Road
Saturday, January 17, 2004 – Pool 1 – Leicester Tigers 49 Ulster 7, Welford Road
Sunday, January 11, 2004 – Pool 1 – Ulster 33 Leicester Tigers 0, Ravenhill
Match Facts –
– Ulster have won five of their last six games against Leicester, however, their one loss in that period came on their most recent visit to Welford Road
– After just one defeat in 34 home games in the Champions Cup, Leicester have since lost four of their last six
– Ulster lost their last game in England to Wasps, losing 26-7 at the Ricoh Arena
– The northern province have conceded just 6.8 penalties per game this season, the fewest of any side
– Leicester have had more yellow cards than any other team in the tournament with five
– Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale is the top try scorer in the competition, crossing the whitewash at least once in all five rounds.
European Cup Records:
Leicester Tigers –
2017/18: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2016/17: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
2015/16: Reached the semi-finals
2014/15: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2013/14: Reached the quarter-finals
2012/13: Reached the quarter-finals
2011/12: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2010/11: Reached the quarter-finals
2009/10: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2008/09: Runners-up
2007/08: Failed to qualify from Pool 6
2006/07: Runners-up
2005/06: Reached the quarter-finals
2004/05: Reached the semi-finals
2003/04: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
2002/03: Reached the quarter-finals
2001/02: Champions
2000/01: Champions
1999/00: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
1997/98: Reached the quarter-finals
1996/97: Runners-up
Ulster –
2017/18: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
2016/17: Failed to qualify from Pool 5
2015/16: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
2014/15: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
2013/14: Reached the quarter-finals
2012/13: Reached the quarter-finals
2011/12: Runners-up
2010/11: Reached the quarter-finals
2009/10: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2008/09: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2007/08: Failed to qualify from Pool 2
2006/07: Failed to qualify from Pool 5
2005/06: Failed to qualify from Pool 4
2004/05: Failed to qualify from Pool 6
2003/04: Failed to qualify from Pool 1
2002/03: Failed to qualify from Pool 6
2001/02: Failed to qualify from Pool 2
2000/01: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
1999/00: Failed to qualify from Pool 3
1998/99: Champions
1997/98: Failed to qualify from Pool B
1996/97: Failed to qualify from Pool C
1995/96: Failed to qualify from Pool B
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