Single players going into contact. Where's the back row? Picture from rugbypicture.co.uk
Brian McLaughlin has made just one change to his starting team for Ulster’s return Heineken Cup match versus Aironi at the Stadio Brianteo on Saturday (kick off 1.30pm GMT).
Ireland prop Tom Court has been recalled to the side and will help form an all-International forward pack. Paddy McAllister is the man to make way, despite showing up well in last week’s clash at Ravenhill. Court is joined in a formidable front row by Rory Best and John Afoa.
Captain Johann Muller and Dan Tuohy will again form the second row partnership, while Stephen Ferris – man of the match in his last two games – is joined by Chris Henry and Pedrie Wannenburg in the back row.
The backline is unchanged from the one that defeated the Italians 31-10 in Round 3. Nevin Spence was an injury worry after taking a blow to the sternum last weekend but he has recovered sufficiently and will take his place in the centre alongside Darren Cave. Adam D’Arcy has retained the fullback jersey after impressing in his last two outings.
Pool 4 is the tightest at this stage of the tournament with just two points separating the top three teams. Ulster currently sit in second position in pool 4, one point adrift of leaders Clermont Auvergne and one ahead of Leicester.
A bonus point win for Ulster on Saturday would put them in a strong position ahead of the final two games in the New Year. The Ulstermen are faced with a home fixture against Leicester mid-January, before travelling to the Stade Marcel Michelin, where Clermont have recorded victories in their previous 35 matches.
Ulster (15-9): Adam D’Arcy, Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Nevin Spence, Craig Gilroy, Ian Humphreys, Ruan Pienaar. (1-8): Tom Court, Rory Best, John Afoa, Johann Muller (capt), Dan Tuohy, Stephen Ferris, Chris Henry, Pedrie Wannenburg. (16-23): Nigel Brady, Paddy McAllister, Adam Macklin, Tim Barker, Robbie Diack, Paul Marshall, Patrick Jackson, Stefan Terblanche.
Aironi (15-9): Ruggero Trevisan, Sinoti Sinoti, Andrea Masi, Gabriel Pizarro, Giovanbattista Venditti, Luciano Orquera, Tyson Keats. (1-8) Josh Sole, Simone Favaro, Nicola Cattina, Marco Bortolami (cap), Quintin Geldenhuys, Lorenzo Romano, Fabio Ongaro, Salvatore Perugini. (16-23) Tommaso D’Apice, Alberto De Marchi, Fabio Staibano, George Biagi, Filippo Ferrarini, Tito Tebaldi, Naas Olivier, Roberto Quartaroli.
So no big surprises there then. Nevin Spence is declared fit and starts leaving no place for Whitten. Court returns to the front row after thaking an IRFU break last week and Paddy McAllister drops to the bench. The only real changes are in the subs bench with Nigel Brady replacing Andi Kyriacou and Tim Barker steps in for Louis Stephenson. There’s no real difference between those pairings so no big shakes there.
Ulster seriously lacked a concerted effort up front last week and they will need to improve if they are to get the desired result. While it’s easy to single out the backs it has to be remembered that if the forwards don’t keep the defences on the back foot then the backs are going to be forced to crab across the pitch, or put in poor kicks or force passes, all of which have been happening all too frequently of late.
Ulster won last week, and in fairness won comfortably by dint of the higher skill set of the players and not through their team performance. A much better team effort from the beasts up front is required this week, and over the next half dozen games, if Ulster are to be serious contenders in Europe or in the PRO12.
Prediction: Ulster to win. No bonus.
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