GUINNESS PRO12 Preview: Edinburgh v Ulster

Ulster head coach Neil Doak wants a much more consistent performance from his charges as they tackle in-form Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield in what he says is a ‘tough, tough fixture’.

GUINNESS PRO12: Friday, February 20

EDINBURGH (8th) v ULSTER (4th), BT Murrayfield, 7.35pm (live BBC 2 Northern Ireland/BBC 2 Scotland)

Team News: Ireland international Iain Henderson will start for Ulster against Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield in the GUINNESS PRO12 on Friday night.

Henderson, who signed a new three-year contract with Ulster Rugby yesterday, starts in the second row and is one of two changes to the side that beat Benetton Treviso 43-3 at Kingspan Stadium last weekend.

The other sees Stuart McCloskey come back into the starting line-up. The 22 year-old scored a try on his return from injury against Treviso and is named at inside centre for the round 15 game.

The rest of the team is unchanged with Callum Black, Rob Herring and Wiehahn Herbst forming the front row, Franco van der Merwe partnering Henderson in the second row, and captain Roger Wilson, Nick Williams and Mike McComish combine in the back row.

Ruan Pienaar starts at scrum half, Ian Humphreys wins his 99th cap for Ulster at out-half and Darren Cave will line out in midfield alongside McCloskey (pictured above). Louis Ludik continues at full-back alongside Michael Allen and Ulster centurion Craig Gilroy in the back-three.

Forwards John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Bronson Ross, Lewis Stevenson and Clive Ross are named on the replacements bench, as are backs Paul Marshall, Luke Marshall and Peter Nelson.

Robbie Diack misses the BBC 2 Northern Ireland-televised match having picked up a back injury in training.

There are fewer than 500 tickets remaining for Ulster’s PRO12 match against the Scarlets at Kingspan Stadium next Friday night. To purchase a ticket for the game, click here. Tickets are also on sale for the province’s upcoming clashes with Cardiff Blues and Leinster.

Meanwhile, with the RBS 6 Nations taking a week’s break, Edinburgh have a number of Scotland internationals back for the visit of fourth-placed Ulster.

Three changes in the backs see wingers Dougie Fife and Tim Visser return from international duty and out-half Tom Heathcote move up from the bench.
 
In the pack, lock Ben Toolis and flanker Hamish Watson are also released from the Scottish camp for this round 15 fixture.
 
Lock Ollie Atkins, flanker Hugh Blake and out-half Jade Te Rure, who featured in last week’s win over the Ospreys, move to the bench.
 
Due to challenges emanating from Richie Gray’s injury and Tim Swinson’s call-up to the Scotland squad, Edinburgh locks Fraser McKenzie and Alex Toolis have been loaned to Glasgow Warriors – the former for this weekend’s match only and the latter on a short-term loan.

EDINBURGH: Jack Cuthbert; Dougie Fife, Sam Beard, Phil Burleigh, Tim Visser; Tom Heathcote, Grayson Hart; Rory Sutherland, Neil Cochrane, WP Nel, Anton Bresler, Ben Toolis, Roddy Grant, Hamish Watson, Mike Coman (capt).
 
Replacements: Stuart McInally, Grant Shiells, John Andress, Ollie Atkins, Hugh Blake, AN Other, Jade Te Rure, Andries Strauss.

ULSTER: Louis Ludik; Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Stuart McCloskey, Michael Allen; Ian Humphreys, Ruan Pienaar; Callum Black, Rob Herring, Wiehahn Herbst, Iain Henderson, Franco van der Merwe, Roger Wilson (capt), Mike McComish, Nick Williams.

Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Bronson Ross, Lewis Stevenson, Clive Ross, Paul Marshall, Luke Marshall, Peter Nelson.

Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Sam Grove-White, Mike Adamson (both Scotland)
Television Match Official: David Changleng (Scotland)