Edinburgh v Ulster Friday October 16th, Murrayfield, 7.45pm ko
Scrumhalf Paul Marshall is set to make his 150th appearance for Ulster when they take on Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Friday.
Despite their World Cup absentees Neil Doak’s side start the game with a healthy looking backline as Stuart McCloskey, Andrew Trimble and Craig Gilroy, who signed a new contract during the week, all start.
Up front Doak has made three changes, with Callum Black, Franco van der Merwe and Nick Williams all returning to the pack.
On his 150th provinsial cap Marshall said: “The appearances have racked up pretty quickly over the past few years so it will be really nice to get my 150th cap this weekend.
“When you’re a schoolboy you dream of playing for Ulster and to have done that on so many occasions is a real privilege.”
Ulster: Louis Ludik; Craig Gilroy, Sammy Arnold, Stuart McCloskey, Andrew Trimble; Peter Nelson, Paul Marshall; Callum Black, Rob Herring, Wiehahn Herbst, Dan Tuohy, Franco van der Merwe, Roger Wilson, Sean Reidy, Nick Williams;
Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Bronson Ross, Lewis Stevenson, Willie Faloon, David Shanahan, Ian Humphreys, Rory Scholes.
Edinburgh: Greig Tonks, Tom Brown, Chris Dean, Andries Strauss, Damien Hoyland, Phil Burleigh, Nathan Fowles, Rory Sutherland, Neil Cochrane, John Andress, Anton Bresler, Fraser McKenzie, Mike Coman, Hamish Watson, Nasi Manu.
Replacements: George Turner, Allan Dell, Simon Berghan, Alex Toolis, Cornell du Preez, Sean Kennedy, Will Helu, Jack Cuthbert
Connacht v Zebre, Friday October 16th, Sportsground, 7:30pm ko
Pat Lam welcomes back Rodney Ah You into the Connacht side for their Pro12 clash with Zebre on Friday.
Ah You is the sole change in the line-up from the side which beat Cardiff Blues two weeks ago, and he starts alongside Denis Buckley and Tom McCartney in the frontrow.
Friday’s game will be the 11th meeting between the two sides since the 2012/13 season and Connacht will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent record over the Italians.
Ahead of the fixture boss Lam said: “It’s good to be kick starting this 16-game run with a home game in front of our supporters. Protecting our home ground is really important to us and tomorrow’s game with Zebre is another must-win.
“We have a lot of respect for Zebre who we’ve played a good few times over the past few seasons and each time we’ve played them, we’ve had to work collectively as a team for our wins. They have definitely regrouped after a big loss in the opening week and Scarlets and Dragons just got home against them so we expect a tough battle tomorrow night.”
Connacht: Tiernan O'Halloran, Danie Poolman, Rory Parata, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion, Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You, Quinn Roux, Andrew Browne, John Muldoon, Nepia Fox-Matamua, Eoin McKeon.
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Conan O'Donnell, Finlay Bealham, Aly Muldowney, Eoghan Masterson, John Cooney, Craig Ronaldson, Darragh Leader.
Zebre: Ulrich Beyers, Dion Berryman, Tommaso Boni, Matteo Pratichetti, Kayle Van Zyl, Edoardo Padovani, Luke Burgess, Andries Van Schalkwyk, Jacopo Sarto, Johan Meyer, George Biagi, Valerio Bernabò, Pietro Ceccarelli, Andrea Manici, Andrea Lovotti.
Replacements: Tommaso D'Apice, Andrea De Marchi, Emiliano Coria, Marco Bortolami, Emiliano Caffini, Guglielmo Palazzani, Michele Visentin, Carlo Canna
