Ulster have released the team details for Friday nights Heineken Cup match against Aironi.
The starting XV for the the Heineken Cup opener at Ravenhill shows just two changes from the side which defeated Glasgow last weekend.
Ian Humphreys comes in at out-half to replace Niall O’Connor and makes his first start of the season while the only other change in personnel is in the second row, where Tim Barker starts this week ahead of Dan Tuohy who is named on the bench.
Prop BJ Botha, who sustained a wrist injury against Connacht in Round 4 of the Magners League, was named in the extended squad but suffered a set-back earlier in the week and has consequently not been included.
Ulster kick off against Aironi at 7.30pm this Friday night at Ravenhill. Gates open at 6pm and tickets will be available to purchase on the night.
ULSTER (15-9): Jamie Smith; Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, Simon Danielli; Ian Humphreys, Ruan Pienaar (1-8) Bryan Young, Rory Best (Captain), Tom Court, Johann Muller, Tim Barker, Pedrie Wannenburg, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack
Replacements (16-23) Nigel Brady, Paddy McAllister, Alan Whitten, Dan Tuohy, Willie Faloon, Paul Marshall, Ian Whitten, David McIlwaine
So the worst kept secret is finally out and as expected Humphreys makes his first start of the season.
A player who seems to polarise the views of the Ulster supporter like no other, I’m sure he can feel the huge weight of expectation on his shoulders as half the crowd expect him to win the game single handedly and the other half expect him to fail miserably.
There certainly does seem to be more expectation and excitement around this one than there was last week for Pienaar’s debut.
As for myself I just hope he is allowed to play his natural game and I will be very intrigued to see how he slots in with Pienaar. Certainly with the South African, iHumph and Paddy in tandem, or should that be triodem, the Italian side should be given plenty to think about.
Irrespective of who calls the shots, one thing is clear, Ulster need to get a bonus point win out of this game. A minimum of six points is required from this game and the Biarritz game and, as I see Bath as the toughest oponents at the minute, its more likey nine points required if we are to progress as group winners.
So the trio of tricksters are going to need to gel and gel pretty quickly or it could be another “nearly” season.
I think they will and I predict Ulster to win by 30.
4 Responses to “Ulster team for Aironi”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Yes, Dewi, exactly as I predicted. (again)
Only six of the Aironi side that started against Ulster earlier in the season start. Ulster’s strength in depth is better than the Italians so I expect a big win for Ulster.
I spoke to Aironi coach Franco Bernini last month and he suggested they would only be targeting 7 or 8 games this season for a win, lets hope this isn’t one of them!
RR – as you predicted again. Please predict me 6 numbers for sat night’s lottery with the same success rate as you’ve had picking the ulster team and I’ll share the jackpot with you
Ragin – i hope you asked Franco in your best fluent Italian ?
On a serious note I hope that the back line does fire well and we get the big win that has evaded us so far. It will set us up well for next sunday in Biarritz.
SUFTU.
If you have to play him I suppose Aironi are the team to opt for but I would hate to see him line out against Bath
And while McIlwaine has a sound boot– on the few occasions he has played he has looked a little over awed by the opposition ie 12 -18 months short of the experience necessary I would prefer D’Arcy on the bench
Mote I think we are all agreed that 10 is our “problem” position so I just wish IH or NO’C or whoever else gets the nod all the best.
McIlwaine/D’Arcy ? My own view is go with the younger model. D’Arcy is 26 and has no experience. If he was going to make it he would have done so by now.