Ulster will be hoping to make it five wins in a row in the BKT United Rugby Championship this weekend, with the prospect of a second-place finish in the table ahead of the play-offs within the home team’s grasp.
Their Scottish opposition come to Kingspan Stadium sitting 12th in the table having endured a difficult league campaign this season.
However, John Cooney, who recently committed his future to Ulster with a new two-year contract, knows that Mike Blair’s side will be a threat to his side’s ambitions:
“On paper, Edinburgh has one of the best squads in the league. They haven’t got what they wanted from this season, but we will not be taking them for granted on Friday night. This is a really important game for us.”
The newly dedicated Nevin Spence Memorial Stand, including branding which features the former player’s signature, will be on display for the first time for supporters attending the game.
Limited tickets are still available for Friday's game, with all seated sections now sold out. Find remaining tickets at ulster.rugby/buytickets
O’Connor ready to lead the Ulster men again
Ulster stalwart, Alan O’Connor, will once again captain Ulster from the second row, alongside Ireland international, Kieran Treadwell.
The front row sees Andy Warwick make a return to the starting line-up at loosehead prop, together with Jeff Toomaga-Allen at tighthead. Grand Slam winner, Rob Herring, is back in the Ulster shirt, as he draws closer to a record-breaking number of caps for the province.
After his try-scoring performance last weekend in a bonus-point win over Dragons RFC at Kingspan Stadium, David McCann, is once again given the nod at flanker, and is joined in the back row by Nick Timoney, who also crossed the whitewash last Friday night. World Cup-winning Springbok, Duane Vermeulen, continues to call the number 8 jersey his own.
The familiar pairing at scrum half and fly half sees leading points scorer in the URC, John Cooney, join forces with Billy Burns.
A young homegrown centre partnership sees Stewart Moore come into the starting line-up, and join up with James Hume in the midfield.
The backline will see Jacob Stockdale earn his 99th cap for his home province, as he lines out together with winger Rob Baloucoune and full back, Mike Lowry.
Forward replacements are Tom Stewart, now a league record-breaker for his try-scoring, Callum Reid, Gareth Milasinovich, Sam Carter, and Harry Sheridan. On the bench for the backs are Nathan Doak, Luke Marshall, and Craig Gilroy.
Ulster side to face Edinburgh, Round 18 BKT United Rugby Championship, Friday 21 March at Kingspan Stadium (KO 7 35pm), live on ViaPlay and URC.tv.
(15-9): Mike Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney;
(1-8) Andy Warwick, Rob Herring, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Kieran Treadwell, David McCann, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Callum Reid, Gareth Milasinovich, Sam Carter, Harry Sheridan, Nathan Doak, Luke Marshall, and Craig Gilroy.
The Opposition:
🏰 Your Edinburgh team to face Ulster at Kingspan Stadium tomorrow night!
— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) April 20, 2023
📺 Watch live on @ViaplaySportsUK @Galbraith_Group | @URCOfficial pic.twitter.com/mz18pqGkDl