Ulster have recalled a number of front line players to the starting XV for Friday’s RaboDirect PRO12 match against Leinster at Ravenhill (kick off 7.05pm).
Head Coach Brian McLaughlin has made nine personnel changes and a further two positional switches to the team which lost 26-21 to Connacht last weekend, but there is no place for rested Ireland Internationals Stephen Ferris and Rory Best.
Willie Faloon, Nigel Brady, Lewis Stevenson, Tom Court, Stefan Terblanche and Paddy Jackson are the only survivors from the team which started in Galway.
Jackson has moved from inside centre to outhalf in place of Ian Humphreys, with Paddy Wallace occupying the vacated spot in midfield alongside regular partner Darren Cave. Ruan Pienaar and Andrew Trimble also return to the starting backline.
Up front, Court is named in his more familiar loosehead prop position, after starting in the tighthead role at the Sportsground. Declan Fitzpatrick will wear the number 3 jersey after making a welcome return from a neck injury – his first taste of action in almost five months.
Johann Muller has returned to captain the side from second row where he is partnered by Stevenson, while Pedrie Wannenburg and Chris Henry are recalled to the back row alongside Faloon.
Paddy McAllister, Neil McComb, Robbie Diack, Ian Humphreys and Adam D’Arcy all drop to the bench after starting last week. Adam Macklin remains among the replacements as front row cover, while Ian Porter makes a return to the match day squad with fellow scrumhalf Paul Marshall ruled out with an elbow injury sustained against Connacht.
Ticket sales for Friday’s game have already passed the 10,000 mark but there is still availability in the Promenade, Granstand and at both ends of the ground (behind posts). They can be purchased online at www.ulsterrugby.com or by calling the ticket office on 02890493222 (ticketing option).
2012/13 Season Tickets are now also available and can be returned to the Ravenhill Ticket Office or processed 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.
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 02890493222.
Ulster Match Day Squad to face Leinster, Friday 20th April 2012, Ravenhill (kick-off 7.05pm)
(15-9): S Terblanche; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, N Brady, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller (capt), L Stevenson, C Henry, W Faloon, P Wannenburg;
Replacements (16-23): A Kyricaou, P McAllister, A Macklin, N McComb, R Diack, I Porter, I Humphreys, A D’Arcy
Unavailable due to injury: J Payne (Achilles), S Danielli (hamstring), Tim Barker (back), Chris Coachrane (foot), Paul Marshall (elbow)
