Ludik Returns As Ulster Make Three Changes

The Ulster team has been named for their GUINNESS PRO14 round 9 clash with the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets on Friday night (kick-off 7.35pm).

Louis Ludik will make his first appearance of the season, having recovered from a hamstring injury sustained in May, as he is named at outside centre. James Hume, one of four Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy players in the starting XV, will partner Ludik in midfield.

The youthful duo of winger Robert Baloucoune and full-back Michael Lowry join Australian international Henry Speight in the back three, with Billy Burns and David Shanahan retained at half-back by head coach Dan McFarland.

Kieran Treadwell is selected alongside captain Alan O’Connor in the second row, with the front row of Eric O’Sullivan, Adam McBurney, who scored two tries in the recent 21-5 victory over Uruguay, and Martin Moore completing the tight five. Marcell Coetzee, Sean Reidy and Nick Timoney combine in a powerful back row.

Recent signing Ian Nagle, who has played for his native Munster and most recently Leinster, is set to make his debut from the bench, while experienced centre Darren Cave could also make his return from injury if called upon.

Jonny Stewart and the 19-year-old Angus Kernohan are the other back-line options along with Cave, while John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, who has played seven times for the province so far this season, and Greg Jones make up the forward cover along with Nagle.

ULSTER (v Scarlets): Michael Lowry; Robert Baloucoune, Louis Ludik, James Hume, Henry Speight; Billy Burns, David Shanahan; Eric O’Sullivan, Adam McBurney, Martin Moore, Alan O’Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell, Marcell Coetzee, Sean Reidy, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Ian Nagle, Greg Jones, Jonny Stewart, Darren Cave, Angus Kernohan.