RUGBY: Henry to step in on return
CHRIS Henry, has been included in the Ulster squad which travels to Italy this weekend to face Aironi, but fellow Ireland stars, Rory Best and Stephen Ferris are rested.
The trio are all subject to restrictions by the IRFU under their player welfare programme and Henry, who made his debut for Ireland during the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia is making his return to the 30-man squad named yesterday having been 'rested' during the pre-season period and for last week's Magners League opener against The Ospreys.
Best, who suffered a soft tissue injury to his neck in last week's game, and Ferris, have both had game time against Ospreys and Leeds, but are now 'rested' for the trip to Aironi.
There will now be a reshuffle in the backrow with Pedrie Wannenburg expected to move to blindside loose in place of Ferris - it is his favoured position although he has played No 8 in the past two matches.
Robbie Diack will relish the opportunity to start at No 8 against Aironi, having had to bench for the past fortnight.
It would be expected, dependent on time restrictions enforced on Henry, that he will start at openside and Willie Faloon will drop to the bench.
Nigel Brady, who replaced Best last week, is the likely starter in the front row along with Tom Court and Declan Fitzpatrick, while Andi Kyriacou will come onto the bench as replacement hooker.
The choice for the two prop replacements could see the experienced Bryan Young miss out, having started last week, with Paddy McAllister and Adam Macklin getting the call.
Johann Muller, who will skipper the side, and Tim Barker will again fill the engine room berths ahead of Ryan Caldwell.
There was little change expected in the backs, although Paddy Wallace would get a start this weekend ahead of Ian Whitten, who suffered a dead leg against Ospreys.
There could still be some debate about the two wing starts. Tommy Seymour certainly seized his opportunity last week, but Ulster may look at elevating either Mark McCrea or Nevin Spence from the bench on the other flank in place of David McIlwaine.
With Jamie Smith back to full health following an injury against Bath in the opening pre-season friendly, the choice at fullback could be a close call with newly signed Adam D'Arcy again showing well last week.
Smith could do with the game time as he strives to be match fit, but he may have to do it from the bench.
Paul Marshall and Niall O'Connor were expected to form the half-back partnership last week, both showing well against The Ospreys.
Aironi are one of the two new Italian clubs in the Magners League this season and although they lost 33-17 to Munster in Cork last week, Ulster head coach, Brian McLaughlin, said he expected the game at the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella on Saturday night to be a tough one.
"It is basically going to be for us what is like for other teams coming to Ravenhill. Their supporters are fanatic about the game and this is their first home game in the league. They will be ready for us there is no doubt.
"But we simply have to be ready for them. It is another big challenge and having seen they play against Munster last week we have a fair idea what to expect.
"They will be aggressive and physical, they played exceptionally well against Munster. They have a solid pack, and could probably pick a full international set of forwards, and they are directed well by Mercier at outhalf.
"You have to remember they went to Cork last weekend, which was important in the outcome and you only have to look at Benetton Treviso's victory over Scarlets in Italy to know how importance home advantage can mean."
Meanwhile, Ulster are hopeful they will have international wingers, Andrew Trimble and Simon Danielli back towards the end of September.
Both have been long term injuries, but McLaughlin said yesterday that both were being reviewed continually and the progress to date was good.
South African prop, BJ Botha has returned to the Province, but only returned to training this week and McLaughlin was hopeful he be ready to go for the home game against Edinburgh on Friday, September 17 and there was also the possibility that lock Dan Tuohy would feature before the end of the month.
ULSTER SQUAD (v Aironi)
Forwards: Tom Court, Declan Fitzpatrick, Paddy McAllister, Bryan Young, Adam Macklin, Nigel Brady, Andi Kyriacou, Johann Muller, Tim Barker, Ryan Caldwell, Neil McComb, Pedrie Wannenburg, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack, Willie Faloon, TJ Anderson.
Backs: Jamie Smith, Adam D'Arcy, Tommy Seymour, Mark McCrea, David McIlwaine, Nevin Spence, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, Ian Whitten, Jonny Shiels, Niall O'Connor, Ian Humphreys, Paul Marshall, Ian Porter.
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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