After a break for the opening rounds of the Guinness Six Nations, Ulster will re-start their URC campaign this weekend against fifth-placed Glasgow Warriors, who are currently enjoying a successful run of games in both domestic and European competitions.
A result for the province on Friday, to follow-up an important 35-5 bonus point victory at Kingspan Stadium in Round 13 against the DHL Stormers, could see Ulster move closer to table-topping Leinster ahead of their upcoming re-arranged fixture in Durban versus Cell C Sharks next week.
Head Coach, Dan McFarland, knows his side will face a real challenge against Franco Smith’s troops:
“Glasgow are nine games unbeaten now. They play a very exciting brand of rugby and are extremely dangerous. We saw they have a bit of steel about them when they played Edinburgh back-to-back over Christmas.
“They’ll definitely come into this game as favourites off the back of the run of wins they’ve had, and the position they are in the league. I see it that it’s all up for grabs.”
Eric O’Sullivan hits 100 caps milestone
Loosehead prop, Eric O’Sullivan, will earn his 100th cap for the province this Friday in Glasgow. He will be joined in the front row by hooker, Tom Stewart, who returns from involvement with Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad, and Jeff Toomaga-Allen, who was crowned Player of the Match last time out.
The side will be skippered by lock, Alan O’Connor, who is joined in the second row by Irish international, Kieran Treadwell.
Ulster Rugby Academy player, Harry Sheridan, who made his Ulster debut against European champions Stade Rochelais last month, joins versatile back-rower Jordi Murphy, and Nick Timoney, who was one of the try-scorers in Ulster’s 35-29 win at Kingspan Stadium the last time the two sides faced each other.
Nathan Doak also made his presence known on the score sheet that night in Belfast, with the 21-year-old named at scrum-half this weekend, as he is paired with Billy Burns at fly-half, while the duo of Stewart Moore and James Hume is retained in the Ulster midfield.
Jacob Stockdale, following his recent involvement with Ireland, forms the back three with Ben Moxham, who scored his first try for Ulster in the province’s most recent win, together with full back Ethan McIlroy.
Replacement cover for the forwards comes from John Andrew, Rory Sutherland, who returns from international duty with Scotland, Andy Warwick, Cormac Izuchukwu, and Greg Jones. John Cooney, Luke Marshall and Craig Gilroy provide the backline cover.
Ulster team to play Glasgow Warriors, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 14, Friday 17 February at Scotstoun Stadium (KO 7 35pm), live on ViaPlay and URC.tv.
(15-9): Ethan McIlroy, Ben Moxham, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak.
(1-8): Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Kieran Treadwell, Harry Sheridan, Jordi Murphy, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: John Andrew, Rory Sutherland, Andy Warwick, Cormac Izuchukwu, Greg Jones, John Cooney, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy.