Ulster team named for Edinburgh test
Head Coach Jono Gibbes has named his match day squad for Friday’s Guinness PRO14 Round 15 clash versus Edinburgh at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 7.35pm).
The starting XV shows just four changes from the side that defeated Southern Kings 59-10 last weekend, as Louis Ludik, Tommy Bowe and Jean Deysel replace the injured Charles Piutau, Rob Lyttle and Sean Reidy, while Rob Herring is released from Ireland duty to start at hooker.
With just three points separating Ulster in third and Edinburgh in fourth in the Conference B standings, Friday’s game will be another hugely important clash as both sides aim to book a place in the playoffs.
Tickets for the crunch match are still available via ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.
Ludik and the fit-again Bowe are straight swaps for fullback Piutau and left wing Lyttle, as they come in to join last week’s Man of the Match Craig Gilroy in the back three.
The Irish international midfield partnership of Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall are retained, as are the half-back combination of John Cooney and Johnny McPhillips.
In the pack, Deysel will wear the number 8 jersey, with Nick Timoney shifting to openside flanker and Matty Rea continuing at blindside.
Andy Warwick and Wiehahn Herbst will scrum down either side of Herring in the front row, with Alan O’Connor captaining the side for the second game in succession alongside Kieran Treadwell at lock.
John Andrew, Kyle McCall, Rodney Ah You will provide the front row backup on the bench, with Matthew Dalton and Chris Henry the additional forward options.
Jonny Stewart, Darren Cave and David Busby will offer backline cover, with Busby in line to make his first appearance of the season if called upon.
Ulster Rugby team to play Edinburgh, Friday 16th February, Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm):
(15-9): L Ludik; C Gilroy, L Marshall, S McCloskey, T Bowe; J McPhillips, J Cooney;
(1-8): A Warwick, R Herring, W Herbst, A O’Connor (Captain), K Treadwell, M Rea, N Timoney, J Deysel;
Replacements (16-23): J Andrew, K McCall, R Ah You, M Dalton, C Henry, J Stewart, D Cave, D Busby.
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