Quick Line-up Review for Tonight’s Game against Zebre.

Ulster sees 10 changes tonight in their game against Zebre. After last week’s attritional fixture at home against Glasgow quite a few injuries have changed what the expected line-up will look like. Cooney, Stockdale and Baloucoune to name a few. Let’s take a look and what’s changed and what it means for Ulster.

At 15, Will Addison starts instead of Ethan McIlroy who has been moved to the wing in absence of Jacob Stockdale. Addison and 15 and McIlroy at 11 is two comfortable placements despite them being necessitated by injury. Addison is a strong fullback with McIlroy easily shifting around the back 3 to fit it wherever needed. In Baloucoune’s place we see the ever experienced Craig Gilroy pull on the 14 shirt. Gilroy rarely has a bad game and brings on-field intelligence and experience that not many other back 3 players in Ulster have. At 12 and 13 we have Stuart Moore and James Hume respectively. Undoubtedly, the McCloskey/Hume pairing is the strongest Ulster have to offer but what a treat that the backup 12 is a player as talented as Stuart Moore. Moore is a very different player with McCloskey, sacrificing that hard running style for more speed and agility. This pairing is guaranteed to supply an exciting brand of rugby tonight.

The half back pairing is half changed with Burns remaining in the 10 shirt but Cooney forced out due to injury replaced by the incredible potential of Doak. This is a name Ulster fans will likely be hearing a lot in the coming years as he seems to improve with every game. He was brought on for 50 minutes following Cooney’s injury last week and was composed and assertive from the start. You could be fooled that Doak has been in the senior squad for years, when in reality, he’s 19 years of age.

In the pack we see a completely fresh front row. Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring and Tom O’Toole make up the strong first 3 with the scrummage and maul experience of the Internationally capped Herring bringing huge benefits. I don’t often predict tries but it’s always a safe bet to assume Herring will get over for at least one off the back of a lineout maul as he is very, very good at what he does for both Ulster and Ireland.

Second row is made up of Ulster faithful, and skipper, Alan O’Connor and one of Ulster’s new signings, Mick Kearney. O’Connor fits beautifully as Captain, he knows when to get riled and when to be calm and I think his leadership is invaluable. Second to Henderson I would love to see O’Connor get more time in the leadership role. As for Kearney, he’s only been with Ulster a couple of games but what a warhorse he’s been already. Kearney immediately got in the mix and has been relentless. His work ethic, doing the unappreciated slog in defence and at the breakdown, is invaluable I expect to see more of the same consistent work tonight.

The back row consists of Matty Rea at 6, Nick Timoney moving from 8 to 7 and making room for David McCann at 8. Timoney on the flank and McCann at 8 will be wonderful to watch. Due to his 7’s background Timoney knows how to turn on the burners and I think we’ll be lucky enough to see some of that tonight. McCann, at just 21, has had a couple of opportunities with Ulster and performed well and tonight should be no exception. It’s another opportunity to assert himself in the back row and put his hand up for more regular appearances.

All together Ulster are comprised of a strong, if a little unusual, squad due to some missing regulars. I expect them to get the job done and hopefully put on a little bit of a show.