Tim Barker makes a welcome return for the Turnips match!
Ulster Rugby have released the team and replacements for this Friday’s match against Munster at Ravenhill, kick off 7.05pm.
With Andrew Trimble and Paddy Wallace both in camp with Ireland ahead of the start of the Autumn International Series, the Ulster backline shows two changes of personnel and one positional switch from that which was defeated by Edinburgh at Murrayfield last weekend.
Nevin Spence comes in at inside centre with Ian Whitten moving to the outside centre position and Ian Humphreys comes in at outhalf.
Up front Ulster are without the services of internationals Tom Court, Rory Best and Stephen Ferris and the forward pack shows five changes from last week.
Nigel Brady replaces Best at hooker while Bryan Young is recalled to the tight-head side as BJ Botha has aggravated the wrist injury which had ruled him out of Ulster’s matches earlier this month against Glasgow and Aironi.
Tim Barker is preferred over Dan Tuohy as captain Johann Muller’s partner in the second row. The rotation of back row players continues with Wannenburg named on the blindside flank, Willie Faloon at openside while Robbie Diack retains his position at No.8.
ULSTER (15-9) A D’Arcy; M McCrea, I Whitten, N Spence, D McIlwaine; I Humphreys, R Pienaar (1-8) P McAllister, N Brady, B Young, J Muller (Captain), T Barker, P Wannenburg, W Faloon, R Diack. Replacements (16-23) A Kyriacou, J Cronin, A Whitten, D Tuohy, C Henry, P Marshall, N O’Connor, L Marshall
Delighted to finally see the back row that everyone has been wanting actually starting. This three ball carriers lark is only a fad and really it’s an unsustainable tactic for Ulster given our poor level of ball handling and of course the poor weather! Faloon is just the man to force mistakes from others and he’ll be right on hand to scoop up the ball when they do.
In fact the whole team looks better ballanced, even considering the unexpected withdrawal of BJ and I must admit that I am surprised that McLaughs has continued with iHumph giving the relative inexperience of the backs. However seeing young Spence in the centre does give a degree of confidence and solidity as he is a young man with his head screwed on the right way. I’d rather see McIlwaine at full back than wing but if D’Arcy can actually find a pass at the end of his runs I’ll be happy enough. (Actually if he even looks for a pass at the end of his runs I’d be happy!)
There’s just something about it that says ,”Tidy little team” I just hope that they live up to my, now inflated, expectations. A lot will depend on how the SA contingent get up for this one but I’m sure they have been made well aware how important it is to get one over on any Turnip side at any opportunity. I expect them to respond accordingly.
Ulster to win by 12. No bonus point!
7 Responses to “Team for Turnips.”
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Ed – would much rather see McIlwaine at Full Back and D’Arcy on the wing…fwiw.
Sick of seeing the youngsters (McIlwaine included) derided on the UAFC Forum….not that they are likely to read it mind you. Fact remains that we are short of experienced players in the back-line. The youngsters have stepped up to a level of intensity (sorry Parky!) that is new to them….and they have not disgraced themselves. We cannot and will not be able to fork out huge sums of cash hand-over-fist to purchase world class backs (as some would have it) We must develop players as a neccessity.
McIlwaine etc are the future of the team – let’s get behind them instead of sniping and sneering at them.
Agree entirely GC. We do need to develop our own youngsters and we need to give them time to settle in.
Having said that I don’t think any of our young players have let anyone down this season – to me most of our failings have been tactical.
Agreed – Solid performaces from all the young boys so far – Dave Mc included, play him in the right place for a decent period of time and let him show what he can do!
Tidy little team indeed Ed. My thoughts more or less, though I would admit to not being keen on young McIlwaine, it’s only my opinion and I hope he gives a good account of himself.
He can only grow in confidence with more gametime.
My one background niggle is that we play yet another 40 minute game.
Anyway will be there if anyone wants to buy me a pint and I’ll give them a more than usual favourable mention at the dispatches box next week!!! (I can’t be bribed of course but I can be bought over!!)
yes Ed interesting selection with D’Arcy at full back and young mackie on the wing. i would have preferred to see mackie at 15 with possibly Emerick on the wing. Last week D’Arcy should have passed to Mackie it was inexcuseable not to ,and to try and cut inside the defense when a certain try was on. However i hope our inexperienced back line comes good ans we reap the benefits and take ALL the chances. I like the back row selection and with chris Henry as cover we should get some useful ball out to the backs.
Any gamblers out there …………….. Ulster are currently 8/11 or if you think they can beat the handicap of 2 points 10/11. I think I might be having some of that!
Oh well the price of shares can go down as well as up. Lucky I didn’t put my house on it!