ULSTER AND HARLEQUINS have announced their line-ups for tomorrow night’s Pool 1 clash at Kingspan Stadium [KO 7.45pm, BT Sport 2] in the European Champions Cup.
Both sides show changes from last weekend’s game at the Twickenham Stoop, where Ulster ground out a vital 17-5 victory in heavy snow in West London.
In one of two adjustments to the Ulster starting selection, Chris Henry replaces Sean Reidy in the back row. The other sees Louis Ludik come in at midfield for Tommy Bowe, while Andrew Trimble returns to be included among the replacements.
Ulster:
15. Charles Piutau
14. Craig Gilroy
13. Louis Ludik
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Christian Lealiifano
9. John Cooney
1. Callum Black
2. Rob Herring
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Alan O’Connor
5. Kieran Treadwell
6. Iain Henderson (captain)
7. Chris Henry
8. Nick Timoney
Replacements:
16. John Andrew
17. Andrew Warwick
18. Ross Kane
19. Mattie Rea
20. Sean Reidy
21. Paul Marshall
22. Peter Nelson
23. Andrew Trimble
Harlequins, whose quarter-final hopes effectively ended following their third consecutive defeat in the tournament on Sunday, have made six changes.
Among them are the absences of four England internationals. Chris Robshaw and Danny Care are left out due to concussions, Joe Marler picked up a knock last weekend and Mike Brown has been held back as a replacement.
Harlequins:
15. Ross Chisholm
14. Charlie Walker
13. Winston Stanley
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Alofa Alofa
10. Marcus Smith
9. Ian Prior
1. Lewis Boyce
2. Elia Elia
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. George Merrick
5. Charlie Matthews
6. Archie White
7. Dave Ward (captain)
8. Renaldo Bothma
Replacements:
16. Charlie Piper
17. Mark Lambert
18. Phil Swainston
19. Mat Luamanu
20. Dino Lamb
21. James Lang
22. Tim Visser
23. Mike Brown
The Sport Ireland statement is a strange one “he bore no significant fault or negligence”- While I’d doubt he intentionally took the substance it was most definitely negligent not to check with the team nutritionist if the substance was legal or not
Brendan O Sullivan got off lightly. Would the sports council have been so lenient if he was an athlete or cyclist.
No one forced O Sullivan to take the illegal supplement. It was the height of stupidly not to check with the team doctor.
As for Marc O Se to say he was unaware of O Sullivan’s use of an illegal supplement. Did he never ask where’s Brendan?
@Diarmuid: the banned substance was not in a supplement but in a sports drink, similar to Lucozade sport. That’s why he got off so lightly
Kimmage will be all over this like a rash. “Now hang on Joe! This is important!”
@Marks Awarded: he was on the same time as O Se and you’re correct. That’s exactly how it went
OSullivan had no idea what he took, it was in a drink. I believe that.
What I dont believe is Marc O’Se saying he had no idea, thats bullsh!t.
But fair play to the Kerry boys for closing ranks and keeping this quite. Best of luck to anyone who can beat these, that sort of loyalty and respect is hard to beat!!
Imagine if this was Diarmuid Connolly or another Dublin player.. Ud have fools tarnishing they’re All Ireland wins .. If its Kerry its ok just a mistake
Kerry didn’t win an AIl Ireland last year.