Ulster are boosted with return of internationals

Ulster will welcome back Irish winger Craig Gilroy plus outhalf duo Michael Lowry and Bill Johnston for Sunday’s Pro14 clash with the Dragons at Kingspan Stadium, after the trio missed the victory at Ospreys last time out.
Marcell CoetzeeMarcell Coetzee
Marcell Coetzee

Irish centre Luke Marshall, who hasn’t played since the resumption of rugby in August, and outhalf Billy Burns have also returned to training.

Ulster have also been handed a massive boost by the news that they will have talisman No8 Marcell Coetzee available through the international window after South Africa decided they were not going to defend their Rugby Championship title.

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Ulster assistant coach Dwayne Peel is disappointed that Coetzee won’t be adding to his 30 Springbok caps during the autumn but is happy to have him staying in Belfast especially after his try-scoring man of the match performance against the Ospreys.

“If anyone saw his last game, if he keeps that up it’s happy days for us, the last couple of weeks he’s been exceptional really,” enthused Peel.

“Against the Ospreys, he was like a wrecking ball, obviously, I’m disappointed for him, playing for SA means a lot and we’re disappointed he’s not getting that opportunity.

“I’m sure he would have gone and I’m sure he would have been selected, it would have been fantastic to see that but now it’s great for us that he’s here.

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“He adds a lot on and off the field. He’s a good character, he’s a leader through his actions and his words.”

The Dragons arrive in Belfast looking for back-to-back wins in Pro14 Rugby for the first time since November 2016 after beating Zebre 26-18.

Dean Ryan’s side are missing a host of Welsh internationals including No8 Ross Moriarty but Peel feels double British Lions tourist Jamie Roberts could prove to be the Dragons danger man.

“It shows his mentality, it would have been easy for him (Roberts), for want of a better word, to take a pay cheque and just cruise,” he said.

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“He’s not been doing that, if you’ve watched him the past few weeks, he’s been really aggressive, he’s carried strongly, he’s leading by example there and that’s the measure of him as a person.

“It’s something he’s done his whole life is carry the ball hard, at (almost) 34, he’s still prepared to roll the sleeves up and he’s been a real threat.

“The last two games you can see it, and against Zebre in particular, a lot of their play will come through him, we know that.

“We played against him last year at Bath and he caused us some trouble down at the Rec, he’s a strong ball carrier and it’s a great testament to him that he’s still out there doing it, his body obviously feels fine and he’s playing well.”

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Due to Covid 19, Ulster didn’t get to play the Dragons last season but they did do the double over the Welsh region in the 2018/19 campaign.

“The teams are different to when we played last, we’ve different players, they’ve different players and a new coaching set-up,” said Peel.

“It’s a home game for us but I think anyone who has watched them would say they can be dangerous.

“Jordan Williams for example can create something of nothing so we’re prepping hard and we’re looking forward to a really tough game.”

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