Disco dancing Darren gets another run-out alongside Spence. BY: RUGBYPICTURE.CO.UK
Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has named his starting XV to face Newport Gwent Dragons in their decisive Magners League clash on Friday night (KO 7.05pm).
Props Tom Court and Declan Fitzpatrick have returned to full fitness and will pack down alongside skipper Rory Best in the front row. Their return to action sees Paddy McAllister and Jerry Cronin named among the replacements.
Willie Faloon suffered a shoulder injury in training and is unavailable for selection so Robbie Diack is promoted from the bench to play number 8. As a result, Pedrie Wannenburg moves to blindside flanker and Chris Henry switches to the openside flank. TJ Anderson, who will join Connacht in the summer, is given a position on the bench as back row cover.
The backline is unchanged from the win over Connacht at Ravenhill two weeks ago, with Darren Cave and Nevin Spence continuing their centre partnership.
Ireland internationals Stephen Ferris (knee), Paddy Wallace (thumb) and Andrew Trimble (thumb) remain unavailable for selection due to injury, as does BJ Botha (knee).
All six final round Magners League games will kick off at same time so there are many permutations for the play-offs; only Munster are certain of a home semi final on the weekend of 13/14th May.
Ulster require only a losing bonus point against the Dragons to ensure progression to the knock out stages. However a win for the Ulstermen, coupled with a Leinster defeat against Glasgow, would secure a home semi final spot.
Ulster (15-9): Adam D’Arcy; Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Nevin Spence, Simon Danielli; Ian Humphreys, Ruan Pienaar; (1-8): Tom Court, Rory Best (capt), Declan Fitzpatrick, Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy, Pedrie Wannenburg, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack; (16-23): Andi Kyriacou, Paddy McAllister, Jerry Cronin, Tim Barker, TJ Anderson, Paul Marshall, Ian Whitten, Conor Gaston.
The back line looks to me as about as attacking as we could get given injuries, and with Wallace, Trimble, Luke Marshall, Paddy Jackson and hopefully a few others to be shoe-horned into the starting line-ups next season there are going to be a few “interesting” selection delemas post World Cup.
One thing that surprised me when I dropped P3 and Johann from my mid week selection for players with a “bit more pace” is that no one pointed out that having played on the hard pitches of South Africa in the S14/15 that they should be well used to a game with a bit more pace.
Now, while some of my selections do go to extremes, from time to time, in an attemp to invite comment, I am pleased to see that from the look of the back line and the crucial selection of Diack at 8 that Ulster will indeed be wanting to move this one about a bit.
Wannenburg is a better attacking player when he is given a free role from 6 and Diack is more explosive off the back of the scrum and given that the Dragons back row is their real strength our Robbie is going to need to be at the top of his game. However with Pedrie rampaging from 6 and with Robbie looking to move the ball quickly it may be that the Dragons back row have the most to think about, particularly as they are going to have to keep an eye on Pienaar and Humph!
I’m quite looking forward to this one and we’ll be bringing you live rolling coverage of this game from the fans in the ground together with real time coverage of the play off standings. Check back tomorrow for details.
More like this:
4 Responses to “Magners League: Team v Dragons”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Sorry that Faloon is unavailable with brew on the wing a pacy 7 would be of benefit it will be interesting to see if the Spence/Cave partnership develops from the last game as previously stated I feel this partnership is one for the future, Spence with his Shanklin like twist out of the tackle and Cave with his awareness of players around him may provide room for the wings. Similiarly in the last game it appeared that Cave was the player who organised the defensive line which bar one lapse defended the gain line sucessfully.
Rate this comment. Like or dislike?
0 
0
As Delia would say “Let’s be’ aving you!”
Where are all the supporters this weekend for Ulster’s biggest match of the season?
Newport not good enough?
The only good thing is I wont be bored senseless by the Heineken Brigade who have attended their quota this season!
PS Hope it rains come 2pm Saturday. Hold your heads in shame.
Rate this comment. Like or dislike?
0 
0
Is the URSC BBQ not indoors this year
Rate this comment. Like or dislike?
0 
0
Can’t be everywhere RR – some of us have to earn a crust.
Rate this comment. Like or dislike?
0 
0