Ulster Rugby have announced their match day 23 for the crucial Pro 14 clash against Benetton.
Just two points separate the four teams positioned 2nd-5th in Conference B, with Edinburgh, Benetton, Scarlets and Ulster all chasing a top three finish to secure a place in the end-of-season play-offs.
Thanks to our friends at Gilbert Rugby You can win 2 tickets for the game by entering via our Facebook, Twitter & Instagram pages.
There are two personnel changes to Ulster backline that played in last Saturday’s 13-14 comeback win against Leicester Tigers in the Heineken Champions Cup, as Abbey insurance Academy players Michael Lowry and James Hume are installed at fullback and outside centre respectively.
Another Academy player, Robert Baloucoune, who scored the match-winning try at Welford Road, is again selected on the right wing.
Dave Shanahan and Billy Burns are retained in the half back positions, with Stuart McCloskey lining out at inside centre and Louis Ludik named on the left wing.
Up front, Alan O’Connor takes over the captaincy from Rory Best and he will partner Kieran Treadwell in the second row.
Andy Warwick and Rob Herring join Marty Moore in the front row, while there are three new faces in the back row as Ian Nagle, Nick Timoney and Greg Jones have earned call ups.
Hooker John Andrew will win his 50th provincial cap if he’s called upon from the bench, with Wiehahn Herbst, Tom O’Toole, Matthew Dalton, Clive Ross, Jonny Stewart, Darren Cave and Rob Lyttle also included in the match day 23.
Ulster team to play Benetton Rugby, Guinness PRO14, Friday 25th January, Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm):
(15-9): M Lowry; R Baloucoune, J Hume, S McCloskey, L Ludik; B Burns, D Shanahan;
(1-8): A Warwick, R Herring, M Moore, A O’Connor (captain), K Treadwell, I Nagle, N Timoney, G Jones;
Replacements (16-23): J Andrew, W Herbst, T O’Toole, M Dalton, C Ross, J Stewart, D Cave, R Lyttle.
Thanks to our friends at Gilbert Rugby You can win 2 tickets for the game by entering via our Facebook, Twitter & Instagram pages.
*Winner will be chosen at random and must be able to collect tickets – Announced 25/1/2025 – Midday
