IAIN HENDERSON IS set to make another surprise early return from injury and will aim to play his way into international contention when Ulster travel to take on Ospreys tomorrow (kick-off 19.35, eir Sport).
The powerful second row picked up a finger injury in Ulster’s away win over Leicester Tigers in January and was expected to be sidelined for ‘several weeks’.
A month earlier, the Ireland and Lions forward faced a projected three months out after surgery on a thumb injury, but was back five weeks later for the visit to Welford Road.
Joe Schmidt will be grateful to see Henderson return to action and increase Ireland’s second row options ahead of the round three trip to Italy. Devin Toner’s ankle injury will keep him out until March, while Tadhg Beirne is still working his way back from knee trouble.
Henderson starts alongside Alan O’Connor, who captains the side. Jordi Murphy and John Cooney have been released from Ireland camp for the fixture.
Michael Lowry starts at out-half, with Stuart McCloskey earning his 100th cap alongside veteran Darren Cave.
Ulster:
15. Peter Nelson
14. Angus Kernohan
13. Darren Cave
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Louis Ludik
10. Mike Lowry
9. John Cooney
1. Eric O’Sullivan
2. Rob Herring
3. Marty Moore
4. Alan O’Connor (captain)
5. Iain Henderson
6. Clive Ross
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Nick Timoney
Replacements:
16. John Andrew
17. Andy Warwick
18. Tom O’Toole
19. Kieran Treadwell
20. Sean Reidy
21. Dan Shanahan
22. James Hume
23. Rob Lyttle
Ospreys:
15 Dan Evans
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Cory Allen
12 Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler
11 Luke Morgan
10 Sam Davies (Capt)
9 Tom Habberfield
1 Jordan Lay
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Tom Botha
4 Lloyd Ashley
5 Bradley Davies
6 Olly Cracknell
7 Sam Cross
8 James King
Replacements
16 Scott Otten
17 Rowan Jenkins
18 Ma’afu Fia
19 Will Griffiths
20 Rob McCusker
21 Matthew Aubrey
22 Luke Price
23 Keelan Giles
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Great to have Henderson back, if he comes through ok(fingers crossed) he’ll surely be in the 23 for the Italian match. Excellent to see Lowry starting at 10 he’s been one of the stand out young Irish talents this season he’s a joy to watch.
@Ian Verdon: Don’t mention crossing fingers, he’s only just got them working again!!
@Del McG: Hahaha yeah, I should’ve added no pun intended!
@Ian Verdon: was the fingers pun intended?!
@Ian Verdon: Whoops, that’ll teach me to reply before reading all the replies. Apologies!
From an Irish perspective the inclusion of Hendy is the headline but for me Lowry starting at 10 is the big news.
Good to see his thumb and finger injuries healing just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Great to have Henderson back as well as Murphy and Cooney. Looking forward to seeing Mike Lowry get a start at 10 but disappointed not to see Addison at full back.
Great to see him back, ulster motoring along nicely, have to say I didn’t think they’d turn it around so quickly. Well done to ulster rugby.
Fantastic to see him back early and I have no doubt he will hit the ground running.
It’s at this time of the year where resources are stretched to the very limit and I am looking forward to next season when the team will be bolstered with the overseas players who have been signed, to give that extra strength.
Ulster suffer when the first team lose the mainstays and I see this weekend being no different.
It will be a tough ask away from home and a lot of it will come down to how Cooney runs the game and protects Lowry
Addision not back is Joe keeping him to start against Italy?
@Kingshu:
Would say yes, especially with Farrell back to Munster
@Kingshu: I actually think the opposite. Since he’s not playing this weekend it’ll be over month since he last played a game. I think the lads released to the clubs are more likely to start than the reserves who haven’t
@Eddie Hekenui: I think hes the only player who hasnt played, that hasn’t been released.
@Kingshu: It’s just my read on it. I think he’s released lads who’ll likely play next weekend to get their match fitness up. I could very easily be wrong
@Kingshu: Turns out both of us were wrong. He’s not fully fit at the moment and that’s why he isn’t playing for Ulster
Good stuff. Hope he goes well, had a cracking game last time out before the injury reveal. All going well for his Ulster return, start him against Italy and give Ryan a rest.
Neither Burns or mcphilips on the bench, they injured?