Brian McLaughlin has named a 33 man panel ahead of Ulster’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Edinburgh this Friday night at Ravenhill (kick off 7.05pm).
Simon Danielli has been ruled out of the fixture after picking up a hamstring injury in Friday’s 15-14 win over Ospreys. The Scottish international entered the fray as a substitute but limped off after just 10 minutes.
Chris Henry has been training with the Ireland squad in Dublin this week but may be available for Ulster on Friday. Paddy Wallace has been installed as captain against Edinburgh to ensure minimal disruption to the match preparations.Outhalf Paddy Jackson and second row Iain Henderson have been added to the squad as Ireland U20s have no game this weekend. Former Ireland U20 captain Niall Annett has also been included.
Edinburgh’s RaboDirect PRO12 form is in stark contrast to European success. The Heineken Cup quarter finalists occupy 11th spot in the table after picking up just 4 wins in 16 outings. The Scots have suffered five straight defeats in the PRO12 since their 23-all draw at home to Glasgow on Boxing Day, whilst if they fail to win this game they will equal their record for the longest winless run – set in 2010.
Ulster have won four of their last five fixtures with Edinburgh, whilst the Scotsmen have not been victorious at Ravenhill since September 2009. The Ulstermen have lost just one of their last 18 encounters at Ravenhill in all competitions since December 2010: 12-23 to Treviso on 7 October. Friday’s win over Ospreys moved Ulster up to 5th in the table, just two points off the top four play off spots.
Tockets for Friday’s match are still available at the Ravenhill Ticket Office, by calling 028 9049 3222, or online at www.ulsterrugby.com. Tickets will also be available at the gate on match night.
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.
From 2nd March 2012 there will be parking, by permit, for residents only along 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 Edinburgh, Friday 2nd March, Ravenhill (kick off 7.05pm):
Forwards:
Callum Black, Adam Macklin, John Afoa, Jerry Cronin, Paddy McAllister, Niall Annett, Andi Kyriacou, Nigel Brady, Lewis Stevenson, Iain Henderson, Dan Tuohy, Tim Barker, Neil McComb, Pedrie Wannenburg, Mike McComish, Willie Faloon, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry
Backs:
Paul Marshall, Ruan Pienaar, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson, James McKinney, Paddy Wallace (capt), Luke Marshall, Ian Whitten, Nevin Spence, Stefan Terblanche, Craig Gilroy, Conor Gaston, Chris Cochrane, Adam D’Arcy
Unavailable due to injury:
Declan Fitzpatrick, Jared Payne, Darren Cave, Johann Muller, Ali Birch, Simon Danielli
