GUINNESS PRO12: Irish international trio back for Ulster

Ulster have included Ireland international trio Andrew Trimble, Stuart McCloskey and Chris Henry in the starting line-up for Saturday afternoon's Guinness PRO12 derby clash with Leinster (Kingspan Stadium 3pm)
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Apr 2016, 21:49 BST
Updated 29th Apr 2016, 22:54 BST
Andrew Trimble, Iain henderson and Stuart McCloskeyAndrew Trimble, Iain henderson and Stuart McCloskey
Andrew Trimble, Iain henderson and Stuart McCloskey

The front row is unchanged for the crunchgame with captain Rory Best packing down alongside Callum Black and Ricky Lutton, who will make his 50th appearance for the Province.

Franco van der Merwe and Pete Browne continue their hugely effective second row partnership.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Henry’s inclusion results in Sean Reidy moving to occupy the number 8 jersey, while Iain Henderson will retain his position at blindside flanker.

Ruan Pienaar and Paddy Jackson will start together at half back for the sixth consecutive game. McCloskey will resume his partnership with Luke Marshall in midfield after missing the win over Zebre because of a shoulder injury.

Trimble, who also missed that trip to Parma, will take his place on the right wing and will be joined in the back three by Craig Gilroy and Jared Payne.

Director of Rugby, Les Kiss, has named a strong bench that includes six Irish-capped players.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rob Herring, Kyle McCall and Andy Warwick will provide options in the front row department, with Robbie Diack and Roger Wilson covering the other forward positions.

The backline trio of Paul Marshall, Stuart Olding and Darren Cave will give Kiss plenty of attacking options off the bench.

Ulster: J Payne; A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar; C Black, R Best (c), R Lutton, P Browne, F van der Merwe, I Henderson, C Henry, S Reidy;

Replacements: R Herring, K McCall, A Warwick, R Diack, R Wilson, P Marshall, S Olding, D Cave.

Related topics:Iain HendersonUlster