Predicted Line-up for Ulster’s Home Clash with Toulouse

1. Andy Warwick

2. Rob Herring

3. Marty Moore

4. Iain Henderson

5. Alan O’Connor

6. Marcus Rea

7. Nick Timoney

8. Duane Vermeulen

9. John Cooney

10. Billy Burns

11. Ethan McIlroy

12. Stuart McCloskey

13. James Hume

14. Robert Baloucoune

15. Mike Lowry

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16. Tom O’Toole

17. Eric O’Sullivan

18. Bradley Roberts

19. Kieran Treadwell

20. Jordi Murphy

21. Nathan Doak

22. Stewart Moore

23. Luke Marshall

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Ulster will have to field their strongest possible squad to get the ascendancy over a strong, albeit rocky, Toulouse squad. The experience in the front row will be critical with Herring’s lineout ability needing to hold strong after last weeks trouble. Moore and Warwick in from the start to ensure big presence at the attacking breakdown and heft in attack. In the engine room Henderson and O’Connor’s leadership will be invaluable, steadying the ship and keeping their team calm if things don’t immediately go right. In the back row, Rea and Vermeulen’s turnover and breakdown ability will be key with Timoney’s penchant for a turnover not to be sniffed at either. Timoney’s attacking ability and Vermeulen’s experience will be vital. The world cup winner has played in some of the biggest games of the last 10 years and that calming influence will pay off big time if he can speak up and help lead the squad alongside the two experienced captains in the second row.

Cooney and Burns’ halfback pairing will be crucial with Cooney’s quick ball and Burns’ unpredictable kicking game being key to rattling a Toulouse squad ready to be broken down. I’d like to see Burns taking the license to try some risky kicks should Ulster find themselves with an advantage in the Toulouse half. With the skill available in the backline, these risky kicks could pay off big time.

At centre, there’s no better choice than the most solid centre partnership in rugby; McCloskey and Hume. If McCloskey can do his usual and break tackles while freeing the hands, their chemistry is without a doubt good enough for Hume to be there ready to receive the offload and double the meters gained, if not make a clean break.

In the back three, Baloucoune and Lowry are easy choices due to their speed and incredible current form. McIlroy, eager to get back into the fold and show what he can do against a top-class side, will be as dangerous as ever. Don’t be surprised if you see McIlroy step Ntamack or Dupont. The back three’s pace and elusiveness will be the driver for much of Ulster’s attack, expect the pack to steadily carry the ball up the middle, concentrating the Toulouse defence before Cooney ships it wide and Burns has his choice of deadly attackers to break the line.