Chris Henry has been named as captain for the second of Ulster’s back-to-back Heineken Cup Pool 4 clashes with Northampton (Ravenhill, 6.00pm).
The team has just one personnel change and one positional switch from the side that beat the Saints 6-25 at Franklin’s Gardens last Friday.
Regular skipper Johann Muller is sidelined with a displaced fracture in his arm so 20 year old Henderson has moved into the second row alongside Dan Tuohy. Nick Williams has been promoted from the bench to fill the vacant loose forward spot.
Andrew Trimble will make his 50th Heineken Cup appearance in Saturday’s encounter, following in the footsteps of Paddy Wallace and Tommy Bowe, who done so in round 2 and 3 of the competition respectively.
There is only one change on the bench which sees Neil McComb replace Williams. Ricky Lutton will make his European debut if he takes to the field at any time during Friday’s game. The 26 year old development prop has made one previous appearance – as a substitute in the RaboDirect PRO12 win over Edinburgh last month.
A win against Northampton would be another massive step towards progression to the knock out stages for the third consecutive season. However, after much criticism regarding the manner of their defeat last week, Northampton will be arriving at Ravenhill determined to gain revenge.
Ulster Rugby would advise supporters coming to the game (gates open 4.00pm) to avoid parking in the immediate vicinity of the Ravenhill Grounds and that the following roads are only accessible for residents and closed to everyone else:
Onslow Parade
Ravenhill Park
Ravenhill Park Gardens
There will also be parking restrictions in place in the Castlereagh area (Mount Merrion Avenue). Supporters are encouraged to make use of the Park ‘n’ Ride facilities at Pirrie Park and along Montgomery Road.
Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.
Ulster XV & replacements to face Northampton Saints, Heineken Cup, Saturday 15th December, Ravenhill (6.00pm):
(15-9): J Payne; T Bowe, D Cave, P Wallace, A Trimble; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Best, J Afoa, I Henderson, D Tuohy, N Williams, C Henry (capt), R Wilson;
Replacements (16-23): N Brady, C Black, R Lutton, N McComb, R Diack, P Marshall, L Marshall, C Gilroy.
