Ulster Squad Announced to Take on Munster at Home.

Ulster have announced their squad for Friday's URC action with Munster and there’s a few interesting selections amongst the steadfast picks.

In the front row, there’s no surprise McFarland has went for his first choice three in Warwick, Herring and Moore. All three have been in fantastic form with the two props really upping their game this season and adding more strings to the bow. Warwick got over for a try recently with Moore’s running improving and work rate shining as ever.

In the second row, again no surprises with the two Ulster captains, Henderson and O’Connor making up the engine room. Hard work from O’Connor, tricky and heavy running from Henderson and leadership in spades.

In the back three however, Vermeulen get the week off to enjoy the uncharacteristic Belfast sun with Timoney moving to 8, where he has played plenty of rugby and will look comfortable as ever. Marcus Rea is also handed a week of vacation with his brother, Matty, making his way into the back row for what feels like the first time in forever. Not long after his injury, Murphy is back in the starting 15, filling Timoney’s usual spot at number 7. It’s an incredibly agile and quick backrow but Ulster may feel the loss of both Vermeulen and Marcus Rea’s turnover ability. Timoney will have to step up in that department and I’d like to see Rea making a few big steals to challenge what has become the usual backrow selections.

The old reliable halfback pairing has been disrupted by Burn’s concussion from last week’s loss to Toulouse, being rightly kept out of play until the appropriate protocols have been followed. Cooney keeps his spot in the 15 whilst Lowry is shuffled further up field from 15 to 10 where he’s made clear he wants to play more of his rugby.

In the centre, the ever-industrious Hume and McCloskey line up against Farrell and De Allende. McCloskey must be at his aggressive, brutal best to shut down De Allende and make sure Lowry isn’t targeted by the big South African.

On the wings, Ulster’s current first choice and massively in form McIlroy and Baloucoune retain their spots in no small part to their individual incredible game against Toulouse, Baloucoune scoring three in the first leg and McIlroy scoring two in the second including an incredible flying, outstretched take to dot down.

Moore slots in at fullback, a position he’s played very little of since school rugby. However, don’t let this fool you. In the few times he’s played at fullback (including one terrible, windy, rainy night against the Dragons), Moore has looked cool, calm and collected. A little more experience at 15 with some serious opposition and Moore could be a really reliable choice in the position.

In the subs, Roberts remains Herrings replacement after not getting any gametime last week. Milasinovich and O’Sullivan are the prop replacements with O’Toole likely to be banned for several weeks after a high challenge against Toulouse. O’Sullivan has shown his form recently and has been challenging well for a starting spot.

Sam Carter comes in to replace the concussed Kieran Treadwell on the bench, again Ulster following appropriate protocol and rightly keeping the concussed players out of the game.

In the back row, Sean Reidy makes an appearance, having not gained a cap since his 150th.

Doak, Madigan and Moxham make up the back replacements. Madigan’s availability shows the trust McFarland has in Lowry to play 10 and the fervour for him to ply his trade at 10 and gain experience against top class opposition. Doak sees himself back in the replacements as Cooney’s experience and form keeps him from nabbing the starting shirt. Finally, Moxham, who suffered a brutal looking challenge in the first leg against Toulouse, is back in the squad covering the wings and possibly centre if needs be.

Certainly, some interesting picks and will be great to see how Lowry gets on at 10 and Moore at 15. Encouraging to see Reidy back in the squad after struggling to topple the top tier backrow that Ulster have cultivated, possibly their most competitive area of the field. Also, really happy to see Carter back in the squad. Whilst I understand and don’t argue that Henderson/O’Connor/Treadwell is the obvious choice, I always feel Sam Carter brings a lot of passion and can be quite an aggravating thorn in the opposition’s side which I think Ulster can lack at times.

Lastly, in the age of focus on head injuries, I would rather see Ulster struggle or lose (not that I think they will) than to see players returned to action before it’s appropriate and safe. Player safety and their lives after the game mean more than rugby. If in doubt, sit them out.