ULSTER’S FIRST-EVER competitive fixture in South Africa will be a landmark one for Craig Gilroy as he makes his 150th appearance for the province [KO 1pm, BBC NI].
Saturday’s Pro14 clash against the Southern Kings at the Wolfson Stadium will be Gilroy’s first game of the season after recovering from a back injury he sustained during pre-season.
The Ireland international winger is included in a backline containing no shortage of experience and attacking flair with Charles Piutau, Darren Cave, Andrew Trimble and Christian Leallifano all named to start.
John Cooney has shaken off injury to renew his half-back partnership with Leallifano as Ulster look to get back on track following two damaging defeats to La Rochelle and Leinster.
Overall, Les Kiss has made nine changes from that reversal to Leinster last time out with Luke Marshall, Rodney Ah You and Jean Deysel missing out through injury and Tommy Bowe dropping to the bench.
Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Rory Best, Rob Herring and Iain Henderson are all in Ireland camp but Kieran Treadwell was released and starts in the second row alongside Alan O’Connor.
Ulster:
15. Charles Piutau
14. Craig Gilroy
13. Louis Ludik
12. Darren Cave
11. Andrew Trimble
10. Christian Lealiifano
9. John Cooney
1. Andy Warwick
2. John Andrew
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Kieran Treadwell
5. Alan O’Connor
6. Matty Rea
7. Chris Henry (captain)
8. Sean Reidy.
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney
17. Callum Black
18. Ross Kane
19. Robbie Diack
20. Clive Ross
21. Jonny Stewart
22. Peter Nelson
23. Tommy Bowe.
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Gilroy is one of those players who should really have more international caps than he does. Hes been very unlucky in my opinion.
@Rudiger McMonihan:
Unfortunately for him his all round game is just not up to international class.
I fear that unless Adam Byrne improves his defence he will become the new Craig Gilroy but there is no doubt going forward they are impressive.
You’d worry for Ulster with that backrow. Marcel Coetzee and Jean Deysel always seem to be injured.
I wonder would Leinster have a backrow or two to spare for up north?
@Culture At War: Matt O’Connor was apparently in town this week talking to three Leinster and Ireland players about signing for Leicester Tigers next season. If Nucifora is doing his job properly, he should be making sure we keep our talent here rather than letting other talents leave like Zebo.
@Paul McCutcheon: why would any Irish forward want to play for that crash bang wallop merchant. 2 season playing for him will take 3 season of your career
@Chris Mc: Didnt stop Dominic Ryan going to them and putting any international ambition aside, rather than move North were he would have be greatly appreciated and got plenty of gametime.
@Kingshu: Agreed. Looks like Ryan is going to do a Marty Moore.
Surely Peter Nelson should be getting a start at out half in games like these? Ulster will be in real trouble when CL leaves in the new year.
@Captain NerbNerb: Should be they clearly they are banking on the outcome of the court case.
I was very impressed with McBurney performances for the U20’s over the last two years. He seems to have put on some mass which he needed to add to his already impressive technical skills at both ruck and line out time. In a position that has a load of questions marks for Ireland going forward if he continues to impress and develop his game all the better for Ulster and Ireland. At 21 and having been in the same environment with Best he has the time and guidance.
@Ian Verdon: Tbh John Andrews has a fair turn of speed which never seems fully utilized. If he was brought in the 7s program it might help him develop better footwork and handling skills.
there isnt one decent forward in that pack
@Tommy Bread: Reidy, Henry & Treadwell are all Irish internationals.
@Tommy Bread: disagree, you obviously don’t watch them regularly.
All this fake news circulating !!!
I could have sworn that Ulster announced weeks ago that they had signed a South African loose head forward.
I must be wrong, but then I have this memory of the Ulster management over the last 3 weeks saying something alone the lines of a new prop making his debut this weekend but where did he go.
Maybe they could tell us for real if he is fit or not.
Will he play soon, play this year, this season or is he banjacksed
@Mark Smith: Absolutely. Is it or is not another B@!!s up?
The Kings only real threat is in the backline. If Ulster hope to go there and play expansive sevens style rugby they could be in for a shock! Win the battle up front and when the game is in the bag do the fancy stuff.