ULSTER HAVE RECEIVED a significant injury boost ahead of their crucial URC clash with the Sharks tomorrow night (KO 7.35pm, TG4).
Stuart McCloskey has recovered from the groin problem which he suffered in the win over Edinburgh last month to take his place at centre alongside James Hume.
Dan McFarland’s side could secure a home quarter-final with a victory at the Kingspan Stadium and the return of McCloskey will be a shot in the arm.
Ulster are just one point behind third-place Sharks and could leapfrog them with a win.
Iain Henderson will lead from the second row and is partnered by Alan O’Connor, Ireland international Rob Herring is hooker, while Marcus Rea is picked at blindside flanker with Nick Timoney given the nod at openside. Duane Vermeulen completes the pack in the number eight jersey.
Scrum-half John Cooney will be just one cap away from 100 Ulster appearances on Friday after Ulster named him to partner Billy Burns in the halfbacks.
Mike Lowry, Robert Baloucoune, and Ethan McIlroy make up the back three.
Meanwhile, the Sharks have confirmed that Springboks centre Lukhanyo Am comes straight back into their starting XV after his recent return from a short-term stint playing in Japan.
Ulster:
- 15. Mike Lowry
- 14. Rob Baloucoune
- 13. James Hume
- 12. Stuart McCloskey
- 11. Ethan McIlroy
- 10. Billy Burns
- 9. John Cooney
- 1. Andrew Warwick
- 2. Rob Herring
- 3. Tom O’Toole
- 4. Alan O’Connor
- 5. Iain Henderson (captain)
- 6. Marcus Rea
- 7. Nick Timoney
- 8. Duane Vermeulen
Replacements:
- 16. John Andrew
- 17. Eric O’Sullivan
- 18. Gareth Milasinovich
- 19. Kieran Treadwell
- 20. Matty Rea
- 21. Nathan Doak
- 22. Stewart Moore
- 23. Rob Lyttle
Sharks:
- 15. Aphelele Fassi
- 14. Werner Kok
- 13. Lukhanyo Am
- 12. Marius Louw
- 11. Makazole Mapimpi
- 10. Curwin Bosch
- 9. Jaden Hendrikse
- 1. Ox Nche
- 2. Bongi Mbonambi
- 3. Thomas du Toit (captain)
- 4. Ruben van Heerden
- 5. Reniel Hugo
- 6. Siya Kolisi
- 7. Henco Venter
- 8. Phepsi Buthelezi
Replacements:
- 16. Kerron van Vuuren
- 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
- 18. Khutha Mchunu
- 19. Hyron Andrews
- 20. Jeandre Labuschagne
- 21. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
- 22. Grant Williams
- 23. Boeta Chamberlain
Referee: Ben Blain (SRU).
He’s not as disappointed as some on relation to how far off they are? They are miles off. No offence to Munster but they are an average,though very gutsy and committed side,and they have hammers Leinster twice in a row now. I do agree that they haven’t had any continuity with combinations,especially from 9-13,and hopefully when the likes of OBrien, Healy, Moore, Teo, McFadden etc come back then there will be a big improvement.
I must take the opportunity to praise Matt O’Connor for the huge improvement in Guinness Pro12 teams. Ever since he arrived at Leinster, every other team has greatly improved. Teams, that two years ago were almost brushed aside by Leinster, have now reached the heights that Leinster once inhabited alone.
Treviso have improved, Munster have improved, Edinburgh have improved, Scarlets have improved, Dragons have improved, Zebra have improved, Connacht (brilliant tonight, by the way) have improved..
In fact, they have all improved so much that Leinster has great difficulty taking on any of them.
By extension, Wasps and Harlequins have shown just how brilliant they are too due to you Matt.
I can hardly wait to see how much Castres get better when they arrive at the RDS soon. They will build statues in your image all over the town.
Matt, you have done European rugby a great service. They have all reached and surpassed Leinster this season thanks to your input at Leinster and everywhere else.
Thank you Matt and Happy New year!.
(and also to Mr Caputo, the news paper seller. Your influence on all other teams has been exceptional)