ULSTER HEAD COACH Dan McFarland has included Will Addison in his team for tomorrow’s Heineken Champions Cup clash with Bath at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast [KO 3.15pm, BT Sport].
The Ireland international limped off with a calf injury during last weekend’s defeat away to Clermont but has come through the training week to be named to start tomorrow, when a win for Ulster will secure their place in the quarter-finals.
The only change to the Ulster starting XV is the introduction of 21-year-old Ireland call-up Tom O’Toole at tighthead prop in place of the injured Marty Moore, who was also forced off last time out against Clermont.
There are three changes on the bench, with tighthead Ross Kane, back row Nick Timoney, and wing Craig Gilroy all coming into the matchday 23.
Ireland boss Andy Farrell will be watching O’Toole’s second European start closely, while other Six Nations squad members like John Cooney, Billy Burns, Jack McGrath, Rob Herring, and Iain Henderson will also be out to impress.
Ulster’s main focus, however, will be on completing the job with a home victory against what is largely a second-string Bath team. Ulster out-half Billy Burns will line up opposite his older brother, Freddie.
Ulster:
15. Will Addison
14. Robert Baloucoune
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Billy Burns
9. John Cooney
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rob Herring
3. Tom O’Toole
4. Alan O’Connor
5. Iain Henderson (capt.)
6. Sean Reidy
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Marcell Coetzee
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney
17. Eric O’Sullivan
18. Ross Kane
19. Kieran Treadwell
20. Nick Timoney
21. David Shanahan
22. Bill Johnston
23. Craig Gilroy
Bath:
15. Tom Homer
14. Gabe Hamer-Webb
13. Jackson Willison
12. Max Wright
11. Ruaridh McConnochie
10. Freddie Burns
9. Ollie Fox
1. Beno Obano
2. Jack Walker
3. Will Stuart
4. Matt Garvey
5. Charlie Ewels (captain)
6. Tom Ellis
7. Sam Underhill
8. Josh Bayliss
Replacements:
16. Ross Batty
17. Lucas Noguera
18. Sam Nixon
19. Josh McNally
20. Mike Williams
21. Chris Cook
22. Rhys Priestland
23. Tom de Glanville
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz [FFR].
Impressive debutant Garry Doyle joins Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey to sift through Andy Farrell’s Six Nations squad selection, talk Ireland captaincy, and much more.
The42 Rugby Weekly / SoundCloud
Is Marty Moore out for a while? I was surprised at his omission from the irish squad.
@Stephen Rogan: No, he was nip and tuck for this game. I think because of the TH strength Ireland have with Furlong and Porter, Farrell’s third choice (O’Toole) is a youngster rather than older picks like Moore, Ryan and Bealham.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: Bealham and Moore are only 28, hardly old for a prop.
@O’Cinnéide Pól: Jesus, they seem to have been knocking about for a while then. When we had Mike Ross there was a real dearth of THs, it really is a position of strength for us now.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: Correct & given young Knox (20) at Munster likely to come through over the next year or two we’re well stocked at TH
Don’t see Marty ever getting another cap when everyone is fit.
He does a great job for Ulster but he has been left behind in the Irish selection debate.
Fitness is still a major issue for him especially in a fast paced game.
Who would be a prop !!
Theres been no time put on it, may have just missed out on this game, may be out for a while, we’ll maybe get an update next week.
Is that a full strength Bath team or are they resting some of their top guys?
@William Lytle: Says in the article, largely second string Bath team.
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