JACOB STOCKDALE, ROB Herring and Iain Henderson have all been handed starts for Ulster’s crucial Champions Cup meeting away to Harlequins on Sunday afternoon [KO 1.00pm].
Les Kiss’ side have taken just four points from their opening games in Pool 1 and are in need of a win following a 24 point defeat to La Rochelle at the end of October.
Henderson will captain the side wearing the number 6 shirt at a sold-out Stoop in the absence of Rory Best, who has been ruled out with a foot infection.
Nick Timoney and Sean Reidy complete the back row, with Alan O’Connor and Kieran Treadwell retained in the second row.
Kiss has chosen John Cooney and Christian Lealiifano at half-back, with Tommy Bowe partnering Stuart McCloskey in midfield.
Craig Gilroy, who scored a brace of tries last weekend at Rodney Parade, joins Stockdale and Charles Piutau in the back three, with Ballymena forwards John Andrew, Andy Warwick, Ross Kane and Matty Rea named on the bench, along with Chris Henry, Paul Marshall, Peter Nelson and Louis Ludik.
Ulster:
15. Charles Piutau
14. Craig Gilroy
13. Tommy Bowe
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Christian Lealiifano
9. John Cooney
1. Callum Black
2. Rob Herring
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Alan O’Connor
5. Kieran Treadwell
6. Iain Henderson (captain)
7. Sean Reidy
8. Nick Timoney.
Replacements:
16. John Andrew
17. Andrew Warwick
18. Ross Kane
19. Mattie Rea
20. Chris Henry
21. Paul Marshall
22. Peter Nelson
23. Louis Ludik.
Harlequins:
15. Mike Brown
14. Charlie Walker
13. Alofa Alofa
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Tim Visser
10. Marcus Smith
9. Danny Care
1. Joe Marler
2. Elia Elia
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. George Merrick
5. Charlie Matthews
6. Renaldo Bothma
7. Chris Robshaw
8. Mat Luamanu.
Replacements:
16. Dave Ward
17. Lewis Boyce
18. Phil Swainston
19. Dino Lamb
20. Archie White
21. Ian Prior
22. Winston Stanley
23. Ross Chisholm.
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It was a good weekend to put RVP as my fantasy football captain, two assists and a hat-trick.
Very much so. The only problem with that is that 95% of the other lads in my league had him as captain too. So he’s basically just there to keep pace at the moment. I threw in Oxlade-Chamberlain on Friday night though. An inspired decision… amidst a host of atrocious ones.
Nine months pregnant and the guy can still play top level football and score, imagine what the baby’s going to be like
Come on you Spurs!