Rugby:Ulster have included Paddy Wallace and Dan Tuohy in their line-up for Friday's RaboDirect Pro12 game against the Dragons at Ravenhill (7.05) after they were released from the Ireland squad today. Simon Danielli is named on the bench following his release from Scotland duty.
Regular captain Johann Muller suffered a calf injury in the team run on Wednesday and has been pulled from the team as a precaution. All Black prop John Afoa will take over as skipper for the night and he is joined in the frontrow by Andi Kyriacou and Callum Black, who makes his second start.
Muller’s absence means Lewis Stevenson will partner Tuohy at lock, while Mike McComish, Willie Faloon and Robbie Diack make up the backrow.
The halfback pairing of Ruan Pienaar and Ian Humphreys remains, as does the centre partnership of Wallace and Ian Whitten. Adam D’Arcy will start at fullback, with the versatile Stefan Terblanche moving to left wing and Craig Gilroy switching to the right flank.
Paddy McAllister has returned from injury to take a place on the bench where he will provide frontrow cover along with Nigel Brady and Adam Macklin. The experienced Tim Barker and Academy player Ali Birch are the other forward replacements. Paul Marshall, Nevin Spence and Danielli complete the matchday squad.
Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin is confident that the absence of some experienced players will be offset by the hunger of the players coming in.
“We’re delighted to have the guys away with Ireland, it’s important for that individuals get recognition for their performances with Ulster. With those guys away, it gives others a chance to come in and push themselves. It’s important for the squad that we give as many opportunities as possible to players as we have to be in a position where we have depth in each area.”
Commenting on the late withdrawal of his captain, he said: “Johann got a tight calf during the team run yesterday [Wednesday] and after a scan we had a slight fear that it would develop, so we decided not to risk him. But it gives Lewis Stevenson the chance to step in and get some more game time, and Tim [Barker] will get some action from the bench.”
The Dragons have lost their previous 10 games but McLaughlin is taking nothing for granted despite having home advantage. “It’s good to be back at Ravenhill in front of our home crowd but form counts for very little when you’re playing the Dragons. They are always difficult to beat and they will be as determined as ever to stop the rot.”
Connacht make just one change from the side that beat Harlequins in the Heineken Cup for their clash away to Cardiff Blues on their return to playing at Cardiff Arms Park tomorrow night (7.30pm), with Dave McSharry recovering from a shoulder injury to replace Henry Fa’afili at inside centre.
Connacht are still nursing a considerable injury list, with Andrew Browne (Achilles), Eoin Griffin (hamstring), Johnny O’Connor (facial fracture), Rodney Ah You (foot) and Frank Murphy (groin) all still out.
Martyn Williams returns to the Blues side for the first time in five months having recovered from a broken arm, suffered against Ulster in September.
Meanwhile, Munster will now travel to take on Aironi on Sunday March 11th after this weekend’s game was cancelled due to poor weather conditions in Italy. The game will have a 3pm kick-off local time.
ULSTER (v Dragons, Ravenhill, Friday, 7.05):A D'Arcy; C Gilroy, I Whitten, P Wallace, S Terblanche; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; C Black, A Kyriacou, J Afoa (capt), L Stevenson, D Tuohy, M McComish, W Faloon, R Diack.
Replacements:N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, T Barker, A Birch, P Marshall, N Spence, S Danielli.
CONNACHT v (Cardiff, Cardiff Arms Park, Friday, 7.30):G Duffy (capt); F Vainikolo, K Tonetti, D McSharry, T O'Halloran; N O'Connor, P O'Donohoe; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Loughney, M Swift, M McCarthy, J Muldoon, R Ofisa, G Naoupu.
Replacements:E Reynecke, D Buckley, S Maguire, D Gannon, M Kearney, D Moore, M Jarvis, H Fa'afili.
CARDIFF BLUES:B Blair; R Mustoe, C Laulala, G Evans, T James; Ceri Sweeney, R Rees; J Yapp, T Rhys Thomas, S Hobbs, M Paterson, P Tito (capt) M Molitika, M Williams, X Rush.
Replacements:R Tyrell, N Trevett, R Harford, C Hill, M Cook, L Jones, G Davies, T Williams.
