Marshall And Moore Combine In Ulster Midfield
Fit-again centre Luke Marshall is back in the Ulster midfield for his first start of the season ©INPHO/Alex James
Ulster head coach Dan McFarland has made eight changes for Monday’s Guinness PRO14 clash with Glasgow Warriors at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 8.15pm).
Internationals Luke Marshall and Marcell Coetzee are back in the starting XV, with the Ulstermen returning home on the back of a gritty 11-7 victory away to Cardiff Blues.
The fit-again Marshall, who appeared off the bench against the Blues last Monday, is set for his first start in nine months, pairing up with young gun Stewart Moore in midfield.
Michael Lowry, the lone try scorer in Newport, has Matt Faddes and Craig Gilroy for company in the back-three, with Ian Madigan rejoining John Cooney at half-back.
South African star Coetzee has recovered from an ankle knock to link up with Matthew Rea and Sean Reidy in the back row. Sam Carter captains the side from the second row.
John Andrew and Jack McGrath swap in as starters in the front row, packing down with tighthead Martin Moore who will make his fifth straight start of the PRO14 campaign.
Backing up McGrath on the loosehead side, Eric O’Sullivan could make his 50th appearance for the province, as a replacement.
The 24-year-old Dubliner is named alongside Adam McBurney, Gareth Milasinovich, Alan O’Connor and Marcus Rea in the forwards, while David Shanahan, Bill Johnston and Ethan McIlroy offer back-line cover.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s meeting of the Conference A rivals, Ulster skills coach Dan Soper said: “Glasgow have got better with every game they have played and everyone knows how good Leinster are. I thought their performance last Monday was really good.
“Jonny (Bell) has taken over Glasgow’s attack and they are a team that always wants to play with real speed in what they do.
“They shift the ball and they always have really dangerous starter plays, so you have to be on top of everything you do.
“Every game they play they always bring something new so it is a good challenge for us this week and there is plenty to keep us occupied.”
He added: “It is important to keep momentum. International windows are a challenge, you have guys coming in and out and it’s nice to be able to bring some of the young and less experienced guys into the team if the team is playing well.
“It’s always much easier for them to come into a team that’s in good form, so it’s important we keep performing well.”
ULSTER (v Glasgow Warriors): Michael Lowry, Craig Gilroy, Luke Marshall, Stewart Moore, Matt Faddes; Ian Madigan, John Cooney; Jack McGrath, John Andrew, Martin Moore, Kieran Treadwell, Sam Carter (capt), Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy, Marcell Coetzee.
Replacements: Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Alan O’Connor, Marcus Rea, David Shanahan, Bill Johnston, Ethan McIlroy.