LUKE MARSHALL WILL make his long-awaited return from injury when Ulster A round off their British and Irish Cup pool campaign against Scarlets Premiership Select tomorrow afternoon [KO 2pm].
The Ireland international has been sidelined with an ankle problem since the end of October but will complete his comeback as Ulster look to secure a home quarter-final in the competition for the second year in a row.
Marshall starts in midfield alongside Callum Patterson while Johnny McPhillips’ inclusion in the senior squad for the Champions Cup clash with Wasps means Peter Nelson again plays for the A side.
Ulster are captained by hooker John Andrew for the trip to Llandovery RFC with the northern province needing just a point to top Pool 5 and guarantee themselves home advantage in the quarter-finals.
Leinster A, meanwhile, have named their team for the clash with Doncaster Knights at Donnybrook [KO 1pm] with Barry Daly, Noel Reid, Nick McCarthy, Ed Byrne, Michael Bent, Mick Kearney and Ian Nagle all set to start.
Daly returns to action following a short injury layoff and starts at fullback for the hosts in a team containing plenty of experience throughout, with the likes of Reid and McCarthy handed the chance to get minutes under their belt.
Noel McNamara’s side have already secured their passage through to the last eight having won all five of their outings to date, with the province’s incredible resource pool once again evident in this week’s team selection.
Eight of the starting XV have featured at some stage during Leinster’s Pro14 season and Gavin Mullin, Ciaran Frawley and Tommy O’Brien have all impressed in the B&I Cup this term.
“We couldn’t have asked for much more from the boys, there have been some fantastic performances, notably away to Doncaster and Bristol,” McNamara said.
“Even last weekend they showed a lot of character in digging out that result in what was Cardiff’s best performance of the campaign. We’re pleased to be in the position that we’re in and we’re looking forward to the challenge against Doncaster again.”
Ulster A:
15. Jack Owens
14. Angus Kernohan
13. Luke Marshall
12. Callum Patterson
11. Aaron Cairns
10. Peter Nelson
9. Jonny Stewart
1. Tommy O’Hagan
2. John Andrew (captain)
3. Tom O’Toole
4. Peter Browne
5. Clive Ross
6. Caleb Montgomery
7. Matthew Agnew
8. Marcus Rea.
Replacements:
16. Zack McCall
17. Eric O’Sullivan
18. Matthew Dalton
19. Aaron Hall
20. Greg Jones
21. Michael Stronge
22. Rory Butler.
Leinster A:
15. Barry Daly
14. Jack Kelly
13. Gavin Mullin
12. Noel Reid
11. Tommy O’Brien
10. Ciarán Frawley
9. Nick McCarthy
1. Ed Byrne (captain)
2. Ronan Kelleher
3. Michael Bent
4. Mick Kearney
5. Ian Nagle
6. Josh Murphy
7. Max Kearney
8. Peadar Timmins
Replacements:
16. Sean McNulty
17. Jack Aungier
18. Óisín Heffernan
19. Óisín Dowling
20. Charlie Rock
21. Harry Byrne
22. Conor O’Brien
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Probably about right to be fair..
So basically a description of each team in the order of how Paddy powers has them placed.
Don’t see the city thing to be honest … every year the English teams will win it according to these “power” rankings but yet… Last time they won was Chelsea ten years ago… Like Barry’s tea the English are all talk
@yoloboyz: Chelsea won in 2012. Not 2009.
@yoloboyz: Recon your right, can see Barcelona winning it again.
@Alan Brazil: I think anyone bar maybe porto has a decent chance… For me there is a group of faves (Manchester city,Liverpool, juventus, Barcelona ) then the rest with maybe Porto a bit behind the others….. Personally I just think the idea of city being favourites having failed so many times before and never having reached a final means they have no right to be the max favourite in my opinion
Wouldn’t shock me in the least bit if United ended up winning, they have a habit of drawing the weaker teams like Porto.
@Brian Connolly: Man United haven’t been in a quarter final in years to draw a weaker team?
@Brian Connolly: I think you’re mixing them up with city
@Alan Brazil: not talking about quarters, i mean in general. Best of luck to them tho, be great if ajax won
Juve to win it .