Quins Michael Allen gets a run out for Ulster this Friday.
Ulster have named a full strength Ravens side for this Friday’s friendly at The Gnoll (KO19.15).
As with last year coach Brian McLaughlin is giving youth a chance and the exciting Dungannon new boys Peter Nelson and Chris Farell link up with their aging club mates Craig Gilroy and Paddy Jackson.
Quins Michael Allen and Ballymena’s Luke Marshall join Ian Porter (I forget who he’s gone to, I think its Hinch but I could be wrong) to make up what must be the youngest back line since this time last year!
Stacks and stacks coming through in the backs but we are still well short of hard core growlers up front with big feckers few and far between.
The performance of Stevenson, both as captain and in the second row, should be interesting and if he can get the lovely Neil McComb to turn into Neil McNasty it would be a welcome boost.
The back row of Faloon, McComish and Diack should be up to the task and really the experience and ability of Faloon and Diack should be the major diference between the two teams.
However the most interesting development, to me at least, is Ballymena’s flanker turned hooker John Burns jumping the queue to get his second run out in succession. On further reflection though, as I mentally click through the availability of the other hookers in my head, it may well be for reasons other than rugby that some are not making the trip.
Very youthful bench indeed and nice to see Blane McIlroy and Stuart Olding as reserve halfbacks. Certainly, reports hitting FRU headquarters suggest that Olding has been “ripping it up” in training!
Ulster (15-9):Peter Nelson; Michael Allen, Christopher Farrell, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy; Patrick Jackson, Ian Porter. (1-8): Paddy McAllister, John Burns, Jerry Cronin, Lewis Stevenson (capt), Neil McComb, Michael McComish, Willie Faloon, Robbie Diack. (16-23): Andrew Warwick, Callum Black, Adam Macklin, James Simpson, Ali Birch, Blane McIlroy, Stuart Olding, Conor Gaston.
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