Twenty year old back row Iain Henderson will make his home debut for Ulster after replacing the injured Nick Williams for Friday’s Heineken Cup Pool 4 opener against Castres Olympique (kick off 8.00pm).
Williams has failed to recover from a rib injury picked up in the 25-0 win over Connacht on Friday night so Henderson will make his fourth appearance for the Province, his first in the Heineken Cup. It follows yesterday’s news that the Ireland U20 star has signed his first full contract, keeping him at the club until June 2015.
Henderson’s inclusion at blindside flanker will mean Stephen Ferris switches to the back of the scrum. The rest of the team is unchanged from Friday’s clinical victory over Connacht.
The only change on the replacements bench will see Ruan Pienaar, who returned from Rugby Championship duty with South Africa earlier in the week, named in place of Michael Heaney.
After missing most of last season with an Achilles tendon injury, fullback Jared Payne will also make his European bow.
Looking ahead to the game, Henderson said: “I can’t wait. I’ve been watching games at Ravenhill since I was a kid and I’m really looking forward to pulling on the white jersey and experiencing the atmosphere as a player.
“My first aim for the season was to be involved in a few PRO12 games but with the few injuries that we have in the back row, I’ve been given an opportunity and I have to try and grab it with both hands.
“Castres are a very physical team but they also throw the ball wide and have an expansive kicking game. That should make for a tough, but entertaining game. We’ll have to work really hard to nullify their threats.”
Castres currently occupy sixth position in the Top 14 having beaten Clermont Auvergne at the weekend, and with Ulster undefeated in the RaboDirect PRO12, it promises to be a tantalising clash. Former Ravenhill crowd favourite Pedrie Wannenburg likely to line up for the French side.
Ulster v Castres is a ticket only match, with only 500 remaining, all of which are positioned behind the posts at either end. Ulster Rugby are currently experiencing difficulties with their phone system so all fans wishing to purchase tickets are advised to book online at www.ulsterrugby.com.
Ulster Rugby is appealing to supporters to be mindful of local residents and to avoid parking in the immediate vicinity of the Ravenhill Grounds on match nights. Park ‘n’ Ride will be in operation from Pirrie Park and along Montgomery Road.
Ulster XV & replacements to face Castres Olympique, Heineken Cup, Friday 12th October, Ravenhill (8.00pm):
(15-9): J Payne; T Bowe, D Cave, P Wallace, A Trimble; P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (c), D Tuohy, I Henderson, C Henry, S Ferris;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, A Macklin, L Stevenson, M McComish, R Pienaar, L Marshall, C Gilroy.
