Ulster welcome back Ireland forwards Declan Fitzpatrick, Iain Henderson and Chris Henry for the RaboDirect PRO12 clash against Zebre this Friday (kick off 7.05pm, Ravenhill).
Backline players Paddy Jackson, Darren Cave and Chris Cochrane are the other players coming into the team, while there are a further two positional switches.
Dublin born winger Neil Walsh, who joined Ulster last month after a three year spell playing for Melbourne Rugby Club, could make his debut after being named among the replacements. If he makes an appearance on Friday night he will be the 46th player to represent the Province this season, 41 of which are Irish qualified.
Fitzpatrick’s inclusion means Tom Court will revert back to loosehead prop, with Rob Herring again starting at hooker. Captain Johann Muller and Lewis Stevenson continue their second row partnership, while flankers Henderson and Henry are joined by Robbie Diack in the back row.
Jackson has replaced Stuart Olding at flyhalf and will line up outside Ruan Pienaar (scrumhalf). Cave’s return to the number 13 jersey sees Luke Marshall move inside, with Cochrane joining Andrew Trimble and Ricky Andrew in the back three.
Joining Walsh as the backline options on the bench are young Belfast Harlequins half backs Michael Heaney and Stuart Olding. Front row cover is provided by Niall Annett, Callum Black and John Afoa, who returns to the squad after a three week absence. Neil McComb and Mike McComish are also included in the 23.
There are now less than 1,000 tickets available for Friday’s game as Ulster look to play in front of a sold out crowd for the ninth consecutive match. Please call 02890493222 (option 2) for more information or book online at www.ulsterrugby.com.
Ulster XV & replacements to face Zebre, RaboDirect PRO12, Ravenhill, Friday 15th February 2013 (kick off 7.05pm):
(15-9): R Andrew, A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, C Cochrane; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Herring, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller (capt), L Stevenson, I Henderson, C Henry, R Diack;
Replacements (16-23): N Annett, C Black, J Afoa, N McComb, M McComish, M Heaney, S Olding, N Walsh.
Profile: Neil Walsh
Position: Wing
DOB: 29/06/1985
Height: 180cm
Weight: 88kg
