Ulster team named for trip to Galway

The Ulster team has been named for Friday’s Guinness PRO14 Round 12 clash versus Connacht in Galway (Sportsground, 7.35pm).

Head Coach Dan McFarland has made just four changes to the starting XV that defeated Munster in the first of three successive inter-pro derbies last weekend.

Three of the changes are in the backline as Johnny McPhillips, Angus Kernohan and Darren Cave are all handed starting berths. McPhillips comes in to partner John Cooney at half-back, with Cave joining Will Addison in the Ulster midfield. Kernohan starts on the left wing opposite Henry Speight, who will be making his final Ulster appearance before returning to Australia. Louis Ludik completes the back three.

Nick Timoney is the final change, as he is drafted in to make up a powerful back row with Jordi Murphy and Marcell Coetzee. The front five remains unchanged with Rob Herring captaining the side from hooker. Abbey Insurance Academy prop Eric O’Sullivan and Marty Moore pack down either side of Herring, with Ian Nagle and Kieran Treadwell once again named in the engine room.

Prop Tommy O’Hagan is set to earn his first Ulster cap if called upon from the bench. Adam McBurney, Ross Kane, Clive Ross and Greg Jones are the additional forward options, with David Shanahan, Peter Nelson and Stuart McCloskey providing the backline cover.

Ulster team to play Connacht, Guinness PRO14, Friday 28th December, Sportsground (7.35pm):

(15-9): L Ludik; H Speight, W Addison, D Cave, A Kernohan; J McPhillips, J Cooney;
(1-8): E O’Sullivan, R Herring (captain), M Moore, I Nagle, K Treadwell, N Timoney, J Murphy, M Coetzee;

Replacements (16-23): A McBurney, T O’Hagan, R Kane, C Ross, G Jones, D Shanahan, P Nelson, S McCloskey.