The Humph returns - wonder if it's going to be Bald Humph or Hairy Humph this season?
Ulster round off their pre-season friendly programme with a home game against Harlequins at Ravenhill this Friday evening, kick off 7.30pm.
With it now confirmed that nine Ulster players will represent four different countries at Rugby World Cup 2011, the Ulster Coaching staff will view this Friday’s game very much in the context of the start of the RaboDirect Pro12 next week.
With Captain Johann Muller and Vice-Captain Rory Best both New Zealand bound, Chris Henry will take charge of the Ulster side during the World Cup period and will lead the team this Friday.
As expected, Brian McLaughlin has used the pre-season friendlies to rotate his squad and only props Paddy McAllister and Jerrry Cronin and the second row partnership of Lewis Stevenson and Neil McComb are retained this week from the youthful Ulster side that defeated Neath 15-34 last Friday.
Ian Humphreys and Nevin Spence will get their first taste of match action this Friday having each recovered from shoulder surgery while Dan Tuohy is named amongst the replacements, fit again after a severe hamstring tear sustained against the Dragons last May.
Gates open at Ravenhill at 6pm and kick off is 7.30pm. Tickets for the match, starting at £12 for adults, are still available from the Ravenhill Ticket Office, www.ulsterrugby.com, SS Moores and other usual outlets while the match is included in the 2011-12 Season Ticket Package.
Ulster Rugby would like to remind supporters that this season ticket zoning and scanning will be in operation at the ground and supporters should check their tickets to ensure that are entering through the correct gate. More details are available at http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/9575.php
Ulster Rugby also encourages supporters coming to the game to avoid parking along Onslow Parade/Ravenhill Park and Mount Merrion Avenue as traffic control will be in operation.
Ulster (15-9): Adam D’Arcy; Conor Gaston, Darren Cave, Nevin Spence, Craig Gilroy; Ian Humphreys, Paul Marshall; (1-8) Paddy McAllister, Andi Kyriacou, Jerry Cronin, Lewis Stevenson, Neil McComb, Pedrie Wannenburg, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry (Captain)
Replacements: Nigel Brady, Callum Black, Adam Macklin, Tim Barker, Dan Tuohy, Robbie Diack, Ian Porter, Patrick Jackson, Ian Whitten, Luke Marshall, Peter Nelson
No real surprises there then with the expected backs and looks like good competition in the second row with Stevenson and McComb being rewarded for the rumbustous display against Neath by keeping Barker and Tuohy on the bench.
Plenty of talent to come of the bench and I’m looking forward to seeing young Nelson get a run.
Cant wait! Roll on Friday!
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