IRELAND CAPTAIN RORY Best will be back in provincial colours for the first time since January and as captain for tomorrow’s Pro12 meeting with Cardiff Blues in Belfast (19.35, BBC).
Joint club captains Rob Herring and Andrew Trimble are both named among the replacements, the wing back in the fold after missing a month with a hand injury sustained against Treviso.
Trimble is joined among the replacements by former Leinster prospect Nick Timoney, who could make his senior Ulster debut, and the always-exciting Jacob Stockdale. Starting centres Stuart Olding and Luke Marshall will file in behind Ruan Pienaar as the cover options for out-half Paddy Jackson.
Timoney on his way to scoring against Canada A for Ulster last year. Presseye / Brian Little/INPHO
Presseye / Brian Little/INPHO / Brian Little/INPHO
Jared Payne is deployed at fullback, with Charles Piutau and Craig Gilroy completing a potent back-line.
With four games of the regular season remaining, Ulster are in the fourth and final play-off position, but just three points ahead of Scarlets in fifth.
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After running Leinster close last time out in this competition, Cardiff are just two points behind Connacht. With Sam Warburton at openside and Nick Williams primed to make an impact against his former club from the bench, they will be intent on making life uncomfortable for Irish provinces again this weekend.
Ulster
15. Jared Payne
14. Craig Gilroy
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart Olding
11 Charles Piutau
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Ruan Pienaar
1. Andy Warwick
2. Rory Best (Capt)
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Kieran Treadwell
5. Alan O’Connor
6. Iain Henderson
7. Sean Reidy
8. Roger Wilson
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring
17. Callum Black
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Robbie Diack
20. Nick Timoney
21. Paul Marshall
22. Jacob Stockdale
23. Andrew Trimble
Cardiff Blues
15. Rhun Williams
14. Alex Cuthbert
13. Rey Lee-Lo
12. Willis Halaholo
11. Blaine Scully
10. Gareth Anscombe
9. Lloyd Williams
1. Gethin Jenkins (Capt.)
2. Matthew Rees
3. Taufa’ao Filise
4. George Earle
5. Jarrad Hoeata
6. Ellis Jenkins
7. Sam Warburton
8. Josh Navidi
Replacements:
16. Kirby Myhill
17. Corey Domachowski
18. Kieron Assiratti
19. James Down
20. Nick Williams
21. Tomos Williams
22. Steve Shingler
23. Matthew Morgan
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Best and Trimble back in harness to help Ulster's play-off push
IRELAND CAPTAIN RORY Best will be back in provincial colours for the first time since January and as captain for tomorrow’s Pro12 meeting with Cardiff Blues in Belfast (19.35, BBC).
Joint club captains Rob Herring and Andrew Trimble are both named among the replacements, the wing back in the fold after missing a month with a hand injury sustained against Treviso.
Trimble is joined among the replacements by former Leinster prospect Nick Timoney, who could make his senior Ulster debut, and the always-exciting Jacob Stockdale. Starting centres Stuart Olding and Luke Marshall will file in behind Ruan Pienaar as the cover options for out-half Paddy Jackson.
Jared Payne is deployed at fullback, with Charles Piutau and Craig Gilroy completing a potent back-line.
With four games of the regular season remaining, Ulster are in the fourth and final play-off position, but just three points ahead of Scarlets in fifth.
After running Leinster close last time out in this competition, Cardiff are just two points behind Connacht. With Sam Warburton at openside and Nick Williams primed to make an impact against his former club from the bench, they will be intent on making life uncomfortable for Irish provinces again this weekend.
Ulster
15. Jared Payne
14. Craig Gilroy
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart Olding
11 Charles Piutau
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Ruan Pienaar
1. Andy Warwick
2. Rory Best (Capt)
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Kieran Treadwell
5. Alan O’Connor
6. Iain Henderson
7. Sean Reidy
8. Roger Wilson
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring
17. Callum Black
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Robbie Diack
20. Nick Timoney
21. Paul Marshall
22. Jacob Stockdale
23. Andrew Trimble
Cardiff Blues
15. Rhun Williams
14. Alex Cuthbert
13. Rey Lee-Lo
12. Willis Halaholo
11. Blaine Scully
10. Gareth Anscombe
9. Lloyd Williams
1. Gethin Jenkins (Capt.)
2. Matthew Rees
3. Taufa’ao Filise
4. George Earle
5. Jarrad Hoeata
6. Ellis Jenkins
7. Sam Warburton
8. Josh Navidi
Replacements:
16. Kirby Myhill
17. Corey Domachowski
18. Kieron Assiratti
19. James Down
20. Nick Williams
21. Tomos Williams
22. Steve Shingler
23. Matthew Morgan
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