The Ulster Ravens team and replacements for the winner-takes-all British & Irish Cup Pool 1 clash with Bristol has been announced (Friday, Deramore Park, 7.30pm – everyone is welcome).
Allen Clarke’s charges enter the game in second position, one point adrift of the English side who lead the pool with 18 points. The ravens have won three from four so far in this season’s campaign, with that defeat coming from a 34-28 reverse away to the West Country club. With only one team qualifying from each pool, a win is the only option for if the Ravens are to progress to the knock out stages.
Development hooker Niall Annett will captain the side and is joined in the front row by fellow senior cap winners Richard Lutton and Adam Macklin. Former Leinster Academy member Alan O’Connor is joined in the second row by James Simpson. Conor Joyce, Ali Birch and Dungannon number 8 James McMahon make up the back row, with the latter making his first appearance in the competition.
Regular fullback Adam D’Arcy has fractured his ankle so Blane McIlroy will line out in the unfamiliar role at the back. He is joined in the outside backs by Rory Scholes and 27 year old Neil Walsh, who will also make his debut. Niall O’Connor and Stuart McCloskey will pair up in midfield, with Belfast Harlequins duo Michael Heaney and Stuart Olding lining out at 9 and 10 respectively.
The experienced Nigel Brady has been named among the replacements, with Andy Warwick, John Donnan and Neil Faloon providing further cover for the forwards. John Creighton, Stuart Morrow and Chris Colvin are the backline substitutes.
Ulster Ravens XV & replacements v Bristol, British & Irish Cup, Friday 11th January, Deramore Park, Belfast, 7.30pm:
(15-9) Blane McIlroy; Neil Walsh, Stuart McCloskey, Niall O’Connor, Rory Scholes; Stuart Olding, Michael Heaney;
(1-8): Richard Lutton, Niall Annett (capt), Adam Macklin, Alan O’Connor, James Simpson, Conor Joyce, Ali Birch, James McMahon;
(16-22): Nigel Brady, Andy Warwick, John Donnan, Neil Faloon, John Creighton, Stuart Morrow, Chris Colvin.
Standby: Ross Adair
Management Team: Allen Clarke, Gary Longwell, Alan Rankin, Kieran Campbell, David Drake, David Minion.
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