Ulster and Connacht have named their teams ahead of tomorrow night’s action in the Heineken Cup.
By Declan Whooley
Ulster coach Mark Anscombe has named a particularly strong line-up with a number of players rested in the win over the Scarlets over the weekend coming into the starting XV.
Tommy Bowe will make his 50th appearance in the competition with Andrew Trimble moving to right wing at the expense of man-of-the-moment Craig Gilroy. The back-line has been potent all year and the centre partnership of Darren Cave and Paddy Wallace should cause trouble for the Northampton defence.
In the pack Rory Best and Tom Court come into the front-row with Dan Tuohy partnering Johann Muller in the second row. Proof of the competition in the back row is the fact that Nick Williams, one of the form players this season, is on the bench.
Northampton v Ulster, Franklin’s Gardens, Friday, K.O. 8pm:
Ulster XV: J Payne; T Bowe, D Cave, P Wallace, A Trimble; P Jackson, R Pienaar; T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (c), D Tuohy, I Henderson, C Henry, R Wilson;
Eric Elwood recalls Mike McCarthy to the second row for their crucial clash with Biarritz at the Sportsgrounds tomorrow night.
The man-of-the-match against the Springboks in the Autumn Series joins Mick Kearney in the second row, with Andrew Browne moving to blindsde flanker.
The only other change sees winger Fetu’u Vainikolo replacing the injured Gavin Duffy on the wing. Tiernan O’Halloran will take up his customary position on the right wing while Danie Poolman and Dave McSharry will hope to continue their recent form.
Connacht v Biarritz, The Sportsground, Friday, K.O. 8pm
Connacht XV: Robbie Henshaw; Tiernan O’Halloran, Danie Poolman, Dave McSharry, Fetu’u Vainikolo; Dan Parks, Kieran Marmion; Brett Wilkinson, Jason Harris-Wright, Ronan Loughney; Mick Kearney, Mike McCarthy; Andrew Browne, Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon.
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