The preliminary Ulster squad to face Leinster in the RaboDirect PRO12 on Friday has been named (Ravenhill, kick off 7.05pm).
Paul Marshall has been ruled out an ultrasound scan has revealed that he has sustained some tendon damage to his right elbow.
The scrumhalf was injured in the act of scoring a try for Ulster during last Saturday’s PRO12 match against Connacht at The Sportsground. He joins long term absentees Jared Payne, Simon Danielli, Chris Cochrane and Tim Barker on the sidelines.
Leinster have already ensured top seeding and a home semi-final in the RaboDirect PRO12. They have suffered just one reversal in any competition since September, a 22-23 loss to Ospreys last month. A Leinster win would ensure a first clean sweep by an Irish province in a season – winning all six inter-provincial clashes.
Ulster’s defeat at Connacht ended a four game winning run in the RaboDirect PRO12, but the Belfast based team remain just one point outside the top four going into the final two rounds of action. They have another trip to Munster on the horizon on the last weekend of the regular season.
Having lost just once in their last 20 home outings – against Treviso back in October – Brian McLaughlin will be hoping his side can continue that form to challenge for a semi final spot.
Over 9,500 tickets have been sold for Friday’s clash, but tickets are still available for the Promenade and Grandstand and can be purchased online at www.ulsterrugby.com or by calling 02890493222 (option 2). Due to the high volume of sales, it is likely that only tickets for the Memorial and Aquinas end (behind posts) will be available to purchase at the gate on match night.
Parking is restricted to permit holding residents on the following roads:
Onslow Parade, Onslow Park, Ravenhill Park, Ravenhill Park Gardens, Ravensdene Park, Ravensdene Crescent and Ravensdene Park Gardens. Any cars parked along these roads and not displaying a valid resident parking permit will be ticketed. There will also be restrictions in the Castlereagh area (Mount Merrion Avenue).
Supporters are encouraged to make use of the complimentary Park ’n’ Ride facilities on Ulster Rugby match days located at Pirrie Park on the Ravenhill side of the ground, and along Montgomery Road, on the Mount Merrion side of the ground.
There is ample parking at both locations and they are just a short distance from the ground. Supporters can either walk or take advantage of the free buses that run to and from the parking areas and the ground from 90 minutes prior to kick off until 90 minutes after the final whistle.
If required, the PSNI will also close the two main approaches to the ground, Onslow Parade and Mount Merrion Avenue at peak times of entrance and egress to and from the ground. For more information please contact our ticket office on 028 9049 3222.
Provisional Ulster Squad to play Leinster, Fri 20th April, Ravenhill (kick off 7.05pm):
Forwards:
Callum Black, Tom Court, Declan Fitzpatrick, Adam Macklin, Paddy McAllister, Andi Kyriacou, Nigel Brady, Rory Best, Lewis Stevenson, Johann Muller (captain), Dan Tuohy, Iain Henderson, Neil McComb, Stephen Ferris, Willie Faloon, Pedrie Wannenburg, Ali Birch, Mike McComish, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack
Backs:
Blane McIlroy, Ruan Pienaar, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson, Paddy Wallace, Ian Whitten, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Nevin Spence, Michael Allen, Stefan Terblanche, Craig Gilroy, Conor Gaston, Andrew Trimble, Adam D’Arcy
Unavailable due to injury:
Jared Payne (Achilles), Chris Cochrane (foot), Tim Barker (back), Simon Danielli (hamstring), Paul Marshall (elbow)
