ULSTER HEAD COACH Dan McFarland has made eight changes to his side after a week disrupted by positive Covid-19 cases within the academy for tomorrow’s Pro14 meeting with Leinster at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 19.35, eir Sport).
With both sides already assured of their place in next weekend’s semi-finals, Leinsster have also rung the changes after their hard-fought win over Munster on reopening weekend.
Rob Kearney starts as the clock ticks down to the 34-year-old’s departure at the end of the season. The legendary fullback and the 90-cap Jamison Gibson-Park will operate either end of an otherwise youthful back-line with Hugo Keenan, Cian Kelleher, Rory O’Loughlin, Ciaran Frawley and Ross Byrne getting the chance to show their wares before the knockout stage of the season comes around.
Ed Byrne will captain Leinster from the front row with Sean Cronin, Devin Toner and Max Deegan adding international pedigree to the pack. Ireland U20 tighthead Tom Clarkson is in line for his senior debut from the bench.
Australian Sam Carter will captain Ulster from the second row, where he is joined by Kieran Treadwell.
With the front row rotated from last weekend’s loss to Connacht, Jordi Murphy and Marcell Coetzee give a big game look to the Ulster back row.
James Hume has been cleared to play after his concussion last week, so he again partners Stuart McCloskey in the centre. Ian Madigan is given his first start at out-half for Ulster while Jacob Stockdale continues at fullback.
Ulster
15. Jacob Stockdale
14. Matt Faddes
13. James Hume
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Rob Lyttle
10. Ian Madigan
9. John Cooney
1. Eric O’Sullivan
2. Rob Herring
3. Tom O’Toole
4. Sam Carter Capt
5. Kieran Treadwell
6. vMatthew Rea
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Marcell Coetzee.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew
17. Kyle McCall
18. Marty Moore
19. Alan O’Connor
20. Nick Timoney
21. David Shanahan
22. Bill Johnston
23. Louis Ludik
Leinster
15. Rob Kearney
14. Hugo Keenan
13. Rory O’Loughlin
12. Ciarán Frawley
11. Cian Kelleher
10. Ross Byrne
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Ed Byrne Capt
2. Seán Cronin
3. Michael Bent
4. Devin Toner
5. Ross Molony
6. Josh Murphy
7. Will Connors
8. Max Deegan
Replacements
16. James Tracy
17. Michael Milne
18. Tom Clarkson
19. Rhys Ruddock
20. Scott Penny
21. Rowan Osborne
22. Harry Byrne
23. Jimmy O’Brien
Frawley at 12 is a very exciting prospect for Leinster!
I think Harry Byrne over the course of the next season will edge past Ross.
@Gareth Ward: ….agree with you on HB……hope Frawley isn’t one of those ‘play anywhere’ types that end up a victim of their own versatility. He is far too good for that. Actually think neck and neck between him and HB to succeed JS.
@Gareth Ward: yup! Looking forward to that. Also excited to see Conners at 7 again. Leinster and Ireland are well stocked at openside but I think Conners is a future Irish regular
It can never be argued that Leo does not use his squad….Looking forward to this one. Frawley at 12 is pretty exciting. A proper 2nd playmaker there, and he is a big lad himself lining up vs McCloskey & Hume, two absolute units. Looking forward to seeing Clarkson get his debut aswell.
Surprised Ronan Kelleher or Fardy werent given this game to get the over the lineout yips from last weekend. Strong side but I fancy ulster for this one.
@Jim Demps: Problem with the lineout was as much the referee not penalising Munster closing the gap as much it was anything to do with personnel.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: sure thing…
@Jim Demps: The tape doesn’t lie Jim
@Jim Demps: I’d agree you, re the lineouts and fardy gave away lazy penalties he needs the game time. Saying that I’d seriously think that dev will start next week and that will help the lineout.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: you are correct, the ref wasn’t great. 2 of Leinsters tries were truck and trailer and should have been penalized
@Patrick O Connell: Spot on about the ref. De Allende should have see red for his disgraceful and thuggish late hit on Sexton
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: and what about archers head butt on JS10 before the maul became a scrum turnover? Lineout last week was rusty and I doubt it was death by set piece this week in training and next week. Judge the set piece and performance when a chance of a final is at stake next weekend.
@Jim Demps: I think it shows the needs for game time for the squad, cronin was poor when he came on last week, he looked like he found the fridge during lockdown
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Sorry Noel but that’s the silliness comment you’ve made in a long time. Penalty yes card no
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: but we got 7 points from that penalty, long me he continue to do silly stuff like that.
Frawley at 12 is interesting. Ulster should be favourites here.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Jesus, did you not see us last week lol.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: Am I wrong in thinking that Ulster are near full strength here and Leinster are playing a firm seconds team? If Ulster cant win this, they havent a hope
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: all the skill of noel Reed and is also able to tackle
@Chris Mc: let’s not get ahead of ourselves now Chris.
That’s a far less Mobile pack this week from leinster. Big challange for the backrow and very interesting to see Ross B and frawley at 10, 12.
If frawley can hold up his defensive duties opposite McCloskey it will be a big step forward.
Can’t see ulster using the box kick like munster did so we won’t really see if Rob will make a differance come the semi final.
Go on Rob Kearney, I bet he plays an absolute stormer but it still won’t be enough for the experts. If it’s good enough blue it’s good enough for me. And ye can sing that. Ha.
I’m looking forward to seeing that Ulster team. A nice blend of first team regulars and good prospects. Plus the poor performance last week should act like a boot up the ar$e. We need to find some form before Edinburgh and the European game.
The worring part is furlong is still out.
Should be a close one, surprised Ulster aren’t resting more with nothing to play for, must want more gametime for players after last weeks performance.
@Umpaloompa: I thought we’d pick a 2nd string too, but I’m glad we haven’t. After last week’s performance we really need some momentum before Edinburgh. Jackman wrote that he thought Ulster were less fit because of the furthough in the UK, but I think that’s a poor excuse. McBurney’s line out throws and Gilroy’s tackling left us unable to play catch up effectively. But all credit to Connacht, they played well and deserved the win.
There are a few surprises for me.Marshall not getting any gametime before Edinburgh, thought he would at least get mins of the bench, is he out of the running for the knockouts? He was playing very well before lockdown. Moore on the bench must need gametime, as 3rd choice LH makes bench for gametime, same as 3rd choice SH and hooker, I’d have thought 3rd choice TH (Milasinovich) would make bench too, incase needed over next few games too. Stockdale continues at FB even with Faddes on the pitch, is he a FB now, guess we’ll see in the KO games.I’d have thought Reidy, Jones or other Rea would have got game time. McF has given most of the squad gametime, but does appear to have taken a calculated risk in BR and Center, giving the players there more time at expense of the squad players.
@Kingshu: don’t forget one senior ulster player is isolating, could be Marshall or one of the others you mentioned
@Patrick Corrigan: Thats a good point, it would explain Marshall not getting any minutes, I’d have expected 3 centers to get gametime, hopefully he’s cleared for Edinburgh or if one of the others hopefully clears too so McF has any many players available as possible. Bookies have this game at near evens, hopefully Ulster play well, result isn’t really relevent but the performance is important. Edinburgh lost today and by all acounts didn’t play too well, though was mostly a 2nd team, while they topped Conf B I think Ulster are capable of beating them away from home, though Edinburgh would rightly be favourites.
Leinster back row will have their hands full up against that Ulster back row. Great experience for them though. Imagine a lot of try’s in this game, both backlines look like they will give it a go. Interesting to see Frawley at 12 he is a talented lad but again will be up against a decent Ulster centre duo. Could be another decent game hopefully.