Ian Humphreys (hamstring) and Pedrie Wannenburg (ankle) have won their fitness battles and have been named in Brian McLaughlin’s starting XV to face the Leicester Tigers in the sold-out Heineken Cup clash at Ravenhill tomorrow, Friday 13th January, kick off 8pm.
The starting XV shows just one change from that named ahead of last week’s match against Edinburgh with Paddy Wallace, who made a 20 minute cameo on his return from a hand injury named in the centre. He replaces Ian Whitten who moves to the bench.
“The whole team has performed well in recent weeks but we have worked on a few things in training this week to ensure that we are in peak condition and are raring to go.” said Ulster Coach Brian McLaughlin
“The game at Welford Road in Round 2 was very tight and we were really disappointed to come away with nothing.
To beat Leicester, you have to beat them up front. They play a game based on their set-piece, and that aspect of the game will be crucial for us.”
Elsewhere amongst the replacements Nigel Brady is preferred to Andi Kyriacou to cover the hooker berth and will make his 100th appearance for Ulster should he take the field during the game.
“Nigel has been a fantastic servant to Ulster Rugby over the years”. said McLaughlin
“He is an integral member of the squad and has the respect of his team mates and all the staff at Ulster Rugby. He is an Ulsterman through and through and he takes great pride in his performance when he takes the field.”
The Ulster players, management and supporters got an extra boost ahead of the game this week with yesterday’s news that scrum-halves Ruan Pienaar and Paul Marshall have each committed to the club for another two years
“It’s great to have Ruan and Paul with us for another couple of years” said the Ulster Coach.
“They have both shown this season that they are excellent players and it’s a great boost that they’ve decided to stay. Paul is unlucky not to be starting this week; it was a very tight call. Depending on what way the game is going, he is a great option to have on the bench because we know he can make a real impact if he comes on.”
ULSTER (15-9) S Terblanche; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, R Pienaar (1-8) T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (Captain), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg
Replacements (16-23): N Brady, C Black, A Macklin, L Stevenson, W Faloon, P Marshall, I Whitten, A D’Arcy
Ulster v Leicester is sold out and there will be no tickets available for sale on the gates. Gates open at 6pm and those with tickets are advised to come to the ground early given the capacity crowd.
Ticket zoning and scanning will be in operation at the ground this season. Supporters should check their tickets to ensure that they are entering through the correct gate. More details are available at http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/9575.php.
Ulster Rugby would advise supporters coming to the game to avoid parking in the immediate vicinity of the Ravenhill Grounds as parking restrictions will be in place along Onslow Parade, Ravenhill Park and Mount Merrion Avenue. Supporters are encouraged to make use of the Park ‘n’ Ride facilities at Pirrie Park and along Montgomery Road which operate from 6pm.
