After a disappointing result against Munster at home, Ulster will be looking to add to their impressive tally of away wins this season when they travel to take on this weekend’s Italian opponents.
Benetton, currently sat seventh in the table, have only lost one of their last four BKT United Rugby Championship fixtures. However, this was to Connacht, who Ulster secured a narrow win over before Christmas, with the Treviso-based side not having beaten an Irish province since 2017.
Head Coach, Dan McFarland, recognises that Saturday’s game is an opportunity to reset:
“We have really good players, who are not playing as well as they want to, and some aspects of our system which may not be working as we want them to, but we have to trust in both of those. After a week of hard work, this game in Treviso is very important to us, and we need to get back to playing well again.”
Rob Baloucoune hits the 50 caps milestone
Enniskillen-born winger, Rob Baloucoune, is set to make his 50th appearance for his home province this Saturday in Italy. The Irish international will be joined in the back three by Jacob Stockdale and Mike Lowry, both of whom are also Ulster born and bred, and have enjoyed time in the green jersey.
Stuart McCloskey, whose pass set Baloucoune up for a return-to-action try in front of a packed-out Kingspan Stadium against Munster, forms a midfield duo with James Hume.
The roles of scrum half and fly half once again go to John Cooney, who scored nine of the last round’s 14 points, and Billy Burns respectively.
Sean Reffell, who made the most tackles of any player in Round 11, retains his place in the back row together with Greg Jones, as Nick Timoney is named at number eight.
Iain Henderson will skipper the Ulster men and is joined by Kieran Treadwell in the engine room.
Tighthead prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen comes into the front row to pack down with Eric O’Sullivan at loosehead and Rob Herring at hooker.
Tom Stewart, Rory Sutherland, Andy Warwick, Alan O’Connor, and Duane Vermeulen make up the forward replacements, while Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore and Ethan McIlroy provide the back line cover from the bench.
Ulster team to play Benetton, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 12, Saturday 7 January at Stadio Monigo (KO 1pm), live on Viaplay and URC.tv.
(15-9): Mike Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney;
(1-8): Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (Captain), Greg Jones, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Rory Sutherland, Andy Warwick, Alan O’Connor, Duane Vermeulen, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, Ethan McIlroy.