Ulster shuffle the pack for Connacht
Ulster have made three changes to their pack for Friday’s all-Irish Magners League battle with Connacht, while Paddy Wallace returns at centre to captain the side.
Ulster head coach Brian McLaughlin has made three changes amongst the forwards for the game at Connacht’s Sportsground.
Tom Court replaces Bryan Young as loosehead prop, Dan Tuohy returns from injury to displace Neil McComb in the second row, while South African Robbie Diack returns to the No. 8 jersey, which sees Chris Henry start amongst the reserves.
Wallace is the only change amongst the backs, relegating Ian Whitten to the bench.
Connacht are fresh off an impressive win against the Cardiff Blues last weekend, and despite Ulster’s good record against them, Wallace knows his team are in for a fight.
“Connacht are a very competitive side,” he said, “They showed just how hard they can be to defeat in the Sportsground with that win over Cardiff Blues last weekend.
“They will have the bit in their teeth after that victory and they are motivated further by trying to get into the Heineken Cup for the first time.
“We stand in their way. Connacht look at us as their nearest targets in achieving that from all the Provinces involved so they will really be gunning for us on Friday night.
“We are well aware of that, well aware of their motivation and we know we need to put in another big performance to keep the winning run we have had against them.”
Connacht, meanwhile, have made just one change to their team with Ian Keatley replacing the injured Miah Nikora at flyhalf.
Teams:
Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Brian Tuohy, 13 Troy Nathan, 12 Keith Matthews, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 Mike McComish, 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 John Muldoon (captain), 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Andrew Browne, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Robbie Morris, 18 Mike McCarthy, 19 Johnny O’Connor, 20 Conor O’Loughlin, 21 Liam Bibo, 22 Aidan Wynne
Ulster: 15 Clinton Schifcofske, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace (Captain), 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Willie Faloon, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Ed O’Donoghue, 4 Dan Tuohy, 3 Brendon Botha, 2 Andy Kyriacou, 1 Tom Court
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick, 18 Neil McComb, 19 Chris Henry, 20 Paul Marshall, 21 Ian Whitten, 22 Andrew Trimble
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Seamus Flannery (Ireland)
Television match official: Dermot Moloney (Ireland)
