Housewives favourite Robbie Diack returns to the starting XV. About bloody time too!
The Ulster team to face Dragons in the RaboDirect PRO12 on Friday at Ravenhill has been named (kick off 7.05pm).
Ulster are hopeful that Paddy Wallace and Dan Tuohy will be released from the Ireland squad and have been named in the line up against the Welsh region, while Simon Danielli is named on the bench following his release from Scotland duty.
Regular captain Johann Muller suffered a calf injury in the team run on Wednesday and has been pulled from the team as a precaution. All Black prop John Afoa will take over as skipper for the night and he is joined in the front row by Andi Kyriacou and Callum Black, who makes his second start. Muller’s absence means Lewis Stevenson will partner Tuohy at lock, while Mike McComish, Willie Faloon and Robbie Diack form an athletic back row.
The half back pairing of Ruan Pienaar and Ian Humphreys remains, as does the centre partnership of Wallace and Ian Whitten. Adam D’Arcy will start at fullback, with the versatile Stefan Terblanche moving to left wing and Craig Gilroy switching to the right flank.
Paddy McAllister has returned from injury to take a place on the bench where he will provide front row cover along with Nigel Brady and Adam Macklin. The experienced Tim Barker and Academy player Ali Birch are the other forward replacements. Paul Marshall, Nevin Spence and Danielli complete the match day squad.
Ulster Coach Brian McLaughlin is confident that the absence of some experienced players will be offset by the hunger of the players coming in. “We’re delighted to have the guys away with Ireland, it’s important for that the individuals get recognition for their performances with Ulster. With those guys away, it gives others a chance to come in and push themselves. It’s important for the squad that we give as many opportunities as possible to players as we have to be in a position where we have depth in each area.”
Commenting on the late withdrawal of his captain, he said: “Johann got a tight calf during the team run yesterday (Wednesday) and after a scan we had a slight fear that it would develop, so we decided not to risk him. But it gives Lewis Stevenson the chance to step in and get some more game time, and Tim (Barker) will get some action from the bench.”
The Dragons have lost their previous 10 games but McLaughlin is taking nothing for granted despite having home advantage. “It’s good to be back at Ravenhill in front of our home crowd but form counts for very little when you’re playing the Dragons. They are always difficult to beat and they will be as determined as ever to stop the rot.”
There are still tickets available for Friday’s game.
Ulster (15-9): Adam D’Arcy, Craig Gilroy, Ian Whitten, Paddy Wallace, Stefan Terblanche, Ian Humphreys, Ruan Pienaar. (1-8): Callum Black, Andi Kyriacou, John Afoa (capt), Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy, Mike McComish, Willie Faloon, Robbie Diack. (16-23): Nigel Brady, Paddy McAllister, Adam Macklin, Tim Barker, Ali Birch, Paul Marshall, Nevin Spence, Simon Danielli
Dragons: (15-9) Martyn Thomas, Jamie Smith, Adam Hughes, Ashley Smith, Aled Brew, Jason Tovey, Wayne Evans. (1-8) Nathan Williams, Steve Jones, Nathan Buck, Adam Jones, Rob Sidoli, Jevon Groves, Darren Waters, Gavin Thomas. (16-23) Rhys Buckley, Phil Price, Dan Way, Hugo Ellis, Tom Brown, Joe Bedford, Andy Tuilagi, Lewis Robling
Pretty much as expected with the exceptions of Paddy Wallace and Dan Tuohy being (somewhat disappointingly) released from the Ireland squad.
Dan steps in for the injured Muller and it will be a point of interest to see how the pairing of Tuohy and Stevenson get on in the lineouts etc., with a view to next season.
Paddy links up with the impressive Whitten, who I must say is impressing me more and more every time he turns out. We surely do now have a wealth of talent in midfield with Cave to return and Spence benching and Luke Marshall not even getting a look in! Ireland could do a lot worse than looking towards Ulster for their centre issues. [aside type="rant" status="closed"]Why neither Wallace or Whitten were even considered for Saturday’s game agaisnt France is beyond me! They have more than comfortably dealt with the French centre paring in recent weeks and gawd knows that Ireland need to have a look at some more options. [/aside]
As I’d alluded to in the squad announcement earlier this week it’s gong to be a big game for the back row with Daick , Faloon and McComish all keen to make a statement about their lack of game time to date. Diack in particular needs a big game if he id to get his career back on track towards the undoubted heights that we all know he is capable off. maybe a change in coaching night help! (Too early?)
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