Ulster Announce Squad to Face Stormers, What’s Changed Since their First Battle?

Ulster have announced their squad to face the Stormers in South Africa tomorrow afternoon. The squad is unchanged from the 15 that saw off Munster in Belfast last week with hotshots all over the park showing why they need to be selected to take on this fierce side.

However, it’s a mostly changed side from the last time Ulster took on the Stormers, with an arguably much improved 15 to line out this time.

8 of the 15 that were selected last time out have been changed out for their second battle. Both props are switched up with O’Sullivan making way for Warwick and as he moves to the bench. Marty Moore on the other side, no longer available due to concussion, is replaced by O’Toole. In the second row, Treadwell is shuffled to the bench for Skipper, Iain Henderson, to partner up with Alan O’Connor. Greg Jones is the only one of the back row changed. Jones, who I believe is still recovering from a hand injury, is replaced by the stalwart Timoney with Matty Rea providing back row cover this time out.

The halfback pairing stays the same in Burns and Cooney. However, in the centre the electric James Hume comes in to pair up with McCloskey, replacing Stewart Moore who finds himself at fullback after several solid run outs in the position. In an all changed back three, Lyttle is replaced by McIlroy and Gilroy by Baloucoune. Neither of the wingers who face Stormers first time around make the 23.

Whilst none of the players who were switched out are lacking talent or skill, it’s not a secret that with a clash against Marcell Coetzee’s Bulls the following week and an away European fixture with giants Toulouse after that, a few first 15 players were being saved at the time. If that squad can “win” against the Stormers, then this line up certainly can. A big ask with thousands of miles travelled on short notice and a quick turnaround for acclimatisation, no doubt, but a big win last week, and big aspirations will serve this squad well.