HEINEKEN CUP
Venue: Ravenhill Date: Friday, 15 January Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio Ulster medium wave and the BBC Sport website

Paddy Wallace had sustained a shoulder injury

Ulster have made two changes to their starting line-up for the visit of Edinburgh to Ravenhill for Friday night's Heineken Cup Pool Four tie.

Darren Cave replaces Ian Whitten at centre and David Pollock starts at open-side flanker, replacing Willie Faloon who has a shoulder problem.

The visitors welcome back stand-off Phil Godman and flanker Alan MacDonald.

Godman has recovered from a hip injury and comes in for Rory Hutton, who is not registered for the tournament.

MacDonald missed Saturday's triumph over Cardiff Blues with a viral infection and replaces Ross Rennie, who is rested as part of his comeback from a long-term knee injury.

"Every game is a must-win game for us, but we know that if are going to progress in the Heineken Cup then we need a victory at Ravenhill," said Edinburgh head coach Rob Moffat.

"Ulster are on the same points as us in the Pool, so there is a huge amount at stake on Friday."

Pollock had been an injury doubt for the homes side but has been passed fit to play and he will partner Ireland international Paddy Wallace, who has overcome an ankle injury.

Whitten and Faloon were both part of the starting line-up for the recent Magners League win over Munster in Belfast.

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin says the players are raring to go following the postponement of last week's Magners League game against the Ospreys.

"This is a massive game and we are all itching to get back to a game," said McLaughlin.

"Rugby is the players' job, they work hard all week with a view to getting out there and playing on a Friday night, so they're disappointed when that doesn't happen.

"That being the case, Friday night can't come quickly enough for them.

"We know Edinburgh and they know us, so there will be no room for error - we have to dominate the play if we are going to win.

"We have got some great training sessions in at the Sports Institute Northern Ireland and Ashfield Boys' School this week, and the players are all fully focused on Friday's game, they are all ready to get up and at it."

Edinburgh captain Chris Paterson goes into the game just nine points away from equalling Duncan Hodge's Heineken Cup points scoring record for the club.

Ulster: J Smith; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, S Danielli; I Humphreys, I Boss; T Court, N Brady, BJ Botha; D Tuohy, E O'Donoghue; S Ferris, D Pollock, C Henry (capt).
Replacements: A Kyriacou, B Young, D Fitzpatrick, R Caldwell, TJ Anderson, C Willis, N O'Connor, T Nagusa.

Edinburgh: C Paterson (capt), J Thompson, B Cairns, J Houston, T Visser, P Godman, G Laidlaw, A Jacobsen, R Ford, D Young, S MacLeod, J Hamilton, S Newlands, A MacDonald, R Grant
Replacements: A Kelly, K Traynor, G Cross, C Hamilton, D Callam, R Samson, N De Luca, M Robertson.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version