Ulster set to give Scarlets a tough day at the office

Neil Doak’s sides have got their Pro12 campaign off to a flyer

Stuart McCloskey is tackled by Ospreys’ Lloyd Evans and Gareth Delve during last week’s Pro12 clash. Photo: Darren Kidd/INPHO
Stuart McCloskey is tackled by Ospreys’ Lloyd Evans and Gareth Delve during last week’s Pro12 clash. Photo: Darren Kidd/INPHO

Ulster were one of only two teams to begin this season’s Pro12 with a bonus point victory, a fine win against the Ospreys in Belfast.

However, their hosts today had arguably just as good a result when beating last season’s champions, Glasgow Warriors, at Scotstoun.

Neil Doak has made two changes in personnel and a positional switch from the side last week to face Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets today. Andrew Trimble is ruled out with a hip flexor strain, so Craig Gilroy switches to the right wing to accommodate the introduction of Rory Scholes.

Peter Browne starts his first competitive game for Ulster in place of Dan Tuohy while Calum Black has recovered from an arm injury and joins the replacements.

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David Busby, who previously played for the province’s A side and the Ireland Under-20s, is also on the bench.

Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac said of the challenge that his side will face: “It’s very early days, but Ulster certainly put on a very good performance at home last weekend and on the evidence of that, whilst the Rugby World Cup is on, they’ll still be a very strong side and one of the leaders.

“They are one of the top sides, we played them four times last year and had three real battles and one where they got on top of us at home. We know we’re in for a tough day at the office.”

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer