Andi Kyriacou turns out after a busy week!
Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has made only one change to the starting XV to face Aironi on Saturday at the Stadio Zaffanella (kick off 3pm local).
Tim Barker has replaced Lewis Stevenson in the second row, where he will partner Dan Tuohy. Stevenson drops to the bench as a result so there is no place for Neil McComb who has dropped out of the match day 23.
The pack is otherwise unchanged pack, with Paddy McAllister and Jerry Cronin joining Andi Kyriacou in the front row. Chris Henry will again cptain the side from number 8 alongside Willie Faloon and Pedrie Wannenburg in the back row.
McLaughlin will field the same backline that played against Glasgow last week, with Ian Whitten, who impressed out of position on the wing, retaining his place. He is joined in the back three by Craig Gilroy and Adam D’Arcy, with Darren Cave and Nevin Spence in the centres, and Paul Marshall and in Humphreys occupying the half back slots.
Declan Fitzpatrick has returned to action after suffering concussion during pre-season and has been named on the bench. Luke Marshall has also earned a place among the replacements at the expense of young Peter Nelson.
New signing Jared Payne arrived from New Zealand on Monday and will travel to Italy but has not been rushed into playing action.
Ulster played Aironi on four occasions last season and came away with four wins, scoring 14 tries in the process and conceding just one. The Italians are still looking to add to their solo victory in this tournament, which was a home success over Connacht in March.
Ulster (15-9):Adam D’Arcy; Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Nevin Spence, Ian Whitten; Ian Humphreys, Paul Marshall; (1-8) Paddy McAllister, Andi Kyriacou, Jerry Cronin, Tim Barker, Dan Tuohy, Pedrie Wannenburg, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry; Replacements (16-23): Nigel Brady, Declan Fitzpatrick, Adam Macklin, Lewis Stevenson, Robbie Diack, Ian Porter, Patrick Jackson, Luke Marshall
This shold be a game were Ulster mix it up a bit more and I expect to see the replacements getting more game time than they did last week against Glasgow.
Luke Marshall steps joins the bench with Peter Nelson on U2o’s duty against Connacht and I think the partnership of McComb and Stevenson can count themselves unlucky to be broken up so early in the season but it’s great to see such competition in the second row given Ulster’s problems in developing our own youngsters over the last few seasons.
After the arrival of young Ted during the week, proud father, Andi Kyriacou starts and will continue to put the pressure on Rory Best if he continues with his excellent darts. The Greek is one of a handful of players who will be looking to make McLaughlin’s life difficult when the World Cup contingent return.
Hopefully, Kyriacou and Ulster will put this one to bed fairly early and we’ll see the replacements get some game time with Diack, Porter and Luke Marshall all keen to make an impact while the Irish and South African lads are away.
Bonus point win!
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4 Responses to “PRO12: Ulster team for Aironi”
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The bench definitely needs to be used more this week, especially if the conditions are as hot as they’re being made out to be, the boys are going to be suffering after 60 or 70 minutes. Not to forget this is the first game at home for Aironi, they’re going to be pumped up and tougher than a lot of us think, I’m pretty sure of an away win, although not so sure about the BP. Although fingers crossed and hopeful I’ll be proved wrong!
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Good to see Andi K starting after his (and Beckys’) new arrival this week. I think that it will be a tough match, and that the bench definately needs used after 60 – 65 mins as A Fan has already muted in his post. From the 2 games so far the ‘boiler house’ competition is already hotwith Tuohy, Stevenson, McCombe & Barker already trading places, and as you said ed Lewis must feel hard done by not to start in Aironi, although if Tim shows the same form as last year, his aggressiveness and ball carrying skills around the park should provide good recycled ball for the team to use. Hoping for a good win from the boys in white.
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It’s a sound selection . There are at this time really only one or two places where variation could be warranted Paul Marshall I think gets the nod just by experience and last weeks nifty little try in the first half. But if he had been reduced to the bench after last weeks second half it might be considered warranted.
Similiarly Whittens run out on the wing wasn’t a disaster and his experience in defence is an added bonus
It looks like the Ulster Coach wants four second rows match shape in time for the ERC games Muller Stevenson Touhy and Barker .
The players having played 80 mins last week and with the game being played in the afternoon will I believe see the bench being used this week. I would expect Wannenberg to give way to Diack and Ian H to give way to Jackson . It being my belief that Wannenberg is better going forward but that Diack is sounder in defence. Who will make way for Luke Marshall I think will depend on the how the backs fare on the day
Winner of this game! Hopefully Ulster but Aironi recruited strongly over the summer so winning may be harder than last year.
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Congrats Greek Adonis Andy!
From what I can hear everyone is in good form. Keep it up lads!
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