RUGBY:ULSTER COACH Brian McLaughlin has chosen a strong team, including free-scoring wing Craig Gilroy, who has managed five tries in just three Magners League appearances. The Ireland under-20 international fullback did not play for the national team last night because he was required by his province.
At least he is starting tomorrow’s game but it hardly seems fair or reasonable that Luke Marshall was also pulled from the under-20 international to sit on the bench for Ulster’s trip to Wales. International commitments allow Ian Whitten to play inside centre, Bryan Young, Nigel Brady and Declan Fitzpatrick to form the frontrow and Tim Barker to partner Johann Muller in the secondrow; Dan Touhy wasn’t considered because of a quad injury.
The Ospreys are without 17 players who are on international duty (Wales, Wales U-20, Wales Sevens) and an injury list further deprives them of players of the calibre of Jonathan Spratt, Conor McInerney, Andrew Bishop, Adam Jones, Tommy Bowe, Barry Davies and James Goode.
Coach Scott Johnson gives Magners debuts Hanno Dirksen and Welsh international wing Tom Prydie.
It is a reflection of the strength in depth that the Welsh franchise possesses that they can still field a backrow that includes former All Blacks Marty Holah and Jerry Collins – the latter leads the team – and a host of former Welsh internationals.
This match though presents a huge opportunity for an Ulster side with a nice balance of experience and youth.
Nevin Spence is a player of great potential and his performance against the England Saxons offered a reminder of the huge strides he has made this season, particularly apposite in the absence of the injured Darren Cave.
The visitors know that unless the pack, led by Johann Muller, provide the requisite quality possession then the talented backline will be redundant. Ulster will know more about themselves after this match – win or lose.
OSPREYS: R Fussell; T Prydie, S Parker, A Beck, H Dirksen; D Biggar, R Webb; D Jones, H Bennett, C Griffiths; I Gough, I Evans; T Smith, M Holah, J Collins (capt). Replacements: M Davies, R Bevington, C Cross, J King, J Tipuric, J Nutbrown, G Owen, T Isaacs.
ULSTER: A Darcy; C Gilroy, N Spence, I Whitten, S Danielli; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; B Young, N Brady, D Fitzpatrick; J Muller (capt), T Barker; C Henry, W Faloon, P Wannenburg. Replacements: A Kyriacou, J Cronin, A Whitten, R Caldwell, TJ Anderson, P Marshall, L Marshall, D McIlwaine.
Referee: Neil Paterson
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