ULSTER HAVE RECALLED Charles Piutau for tomorrow’s crucial Champions Cup clash with Exeter Chiefs at Kingspan Stadium [KO 7.45pm, BT Sport 2].
The All Blacks international missed last weekend’s defeat away to Bordeaux due to injury, but returns in the 11 shirt for his Champions Cup debut as Ulster look to bounce back.
Piutau is back for Ulster. Craig Watson / INPHO
Craig Watson / INPHO / INPHO
Ruan Pienaar has been passed fit to start at scrum-half for Ulster, having overcome a knee injury, while Kyle McCall and Peter Browne come into the tight five in place of Andrew Warwick and Alan O’Connor, who both drop to the bench.
Roger Wilson is introduced to the back row at number eight, meaning Sean Reidy moves to the openside and Clive Ross is named as a replacement after starting at openside last weekend in Bordeaux.
Craig Gilroy, who makes way in the team for Piutau, is joined by Tommy Bowe on a bench that director of rugby Les Kiss hopes will bring second-half firepower.
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Meanwhile, Exeter – who were well beaten by Clermont at home last weekend – have named former Ulstermen Gareth Steenson and Ian Whitten in their starting backline.
Ulster:
15. Jared Payne
14. Andrew Trimble (captain)
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart Olding
11. Charles Piutau
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Ruan Pienaar
1. Kyle McCall
2. Rory Best
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Peter Browne
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Iain Henderson
7. Sean Reidy
8. Roger Wilson
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring
17. Andrew Warwick
18. Ross Kane
19. Alan O’Connor
20. Clive Ross
21. Paul Marshall
22. Craig Gilroy
23. Tommy Bowe
Exeter:
15. Lachlan Turner
14. Olly Woodburn
13. Ian Whitten
12. Henry Slade
11. James Short
10. Gareth Steenson
9. Dave Lewis
1. Moray Low
2. Jack Yeandle
3. Harry Williams
4. Mitch Lees
5. Geoff Parling
6. Kai Horstmann
7. Julian Salvi
8. Thomas Waldrom
Replacements:
16. Elvis Taione
17. Carl Rimmer
18. Tom Francis
19. Jonny Hill
20. Dave Dennis
21. Jack Maunder
22. Sam Hill
23. Ollie Devoto
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Piutau and Pienaar fit to start in Ulster's huge Exeter clash
ULSTER HAVE RECALLED Charles Piutau for tomorrow’s crucial Champions Cup clash with Exeter Chiefs at Kingspan Stadium [KO 7.45pm, BT Sport 2].
The All Blacks international missed last weekend’s defeat away to Bordeaux due to injury, but returns in the 11 shirt for his Champions Cup debut as Ulster look to bounce back.
Ruan Pienaar has been passed fit to start at scrum-half for Ulster, having overcome a knee injury, while Kyle McCall and Peter Browne come into the tight five in place of Andrew Warwick and Alan O’Connor, who both drop to the bench.
Roger Wilson is introduced to the back row at number eight, meaning Sean Reidy moves to the openside and Clive Ross is named as a replacement after starting at openside last weekend in Bordeaux.
Craig Gilroy, who makes way in the team for Piutau, is joined by Tommy Bowe on a bench that director of rugby Les Kiss hopes will bring second-half firepower.
Meanwhile, Exeter – who were well beaten by Clermont at home last weekend – have named former Ulstermen Gareth Steenson and Ian Whitten in their starting backline.
Ulster:
15. Jared Payne
14. Andrew Trimble (captain)
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart Olding
11. Charles Piutau
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Ruan Pienaar
1. Kyle McCall
2. Rory Best
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Peter Browne
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Iain Henderson
7. Sean Reidy
8. Roger Wilson
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring
17. Andrew Warwick
18. Ross Kane
19. Alan O’Connor
20. Clive Ross
21. Paul Marshall
22. Craig Gilroy
23. Tommy Bowe
Exeter:
15. Lachlan Turner
14. Olly Woodburn
13. Ian Whitten
12. Henry Slade
11. James Short
10. Gareth Steenson
9. Dave Lewis
1. Moray Low
2. Jack Yeandle
3. Harry Williams
4. Mitch Lees
5. Geoff Parling
6. Kai Horstmann
7. Julian Salvi
8. Thomas Waldrom
Replacements:
16. Elvis Taione
17. Carl Rimmer
18. Tom Francis
19. Jonny Hill
20. Dave Dennis
21. Jack Maunder
22. Sam Hill
23. Ollie Devoto
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