McCall’s away day kingpins look to gun down Edinburgh

COACH Mark McCall is looking for Ulster to continue their good away form in the Celtic League when they tackle Edinburgh at Murrayfield tonight (ko 7.30).

Ulster have the best away record in the Celtic League, having won four of their six away games this season and collecting 17 points in the process.

McCall is boosted by the return of five current internationals with the exception of Tommy Bowe, but otherwise all those involved in the trip to Paris will start in Scotland.

Simon Best and younger brother Rory are back in the front row with top-tip for the future Bryan Young switching from tight to loose-head and Neil Best recovering from a back strain to wear the number six jersey.

David Humphreys, who will want to divert rumours of his impending Test retirement, is again at fly-half, with Andrew Trimble linking up with Paul Steinmetz in midfield and Andrew Maxwell adding pace on the left wing.

Ulster have had some great battles with the Gunners in the past, and usually come out on top. Edinburgh, who make three changes to their line-up, have only won one of their last eleven matches against Ulster. Their last win was back at the start of the 2002 season.

McCall, however, is hoping that Ulster can leapfrog third-placed Edinburgh and join a few friends at the top. “Edinburgh are only two points ahead of us, so victory will make it a one, two, three of Irish sides at the top behind Munster and Leinster,” he said.

“We must win tonight if we are to challenge for honours at the end of the road.”

Edinburgh’s three changes sees Francisco Leonelli switching from the right wing to full-back as Simon Webster returns from international duty in a move from the left to right wing. Michael Pyke wins promotion from the bench to the left wing.

“We haven’t beaten Ulster for a while but we’ve had opportunities and come really close. We’d like to right that tonight and for Scotland coach Frank Hadden to have released Simon Webster, Craig Smith and Dougie Hall from their international duties is great for us,” said Edinburgh coach Todd Blackadder.

EDINBURGH: F Leonelli, S Webster, P Godman, M Dey, M Pyke, D Hodge, R Lawson (capt), A Jacobsen, A Kelly, A Dickinson, A Strokosch, D Duley, M Mustchin, D Callam, S Cross. Replacements: D Hall, C Smith, A MacDonald, F Pringle, A Monro, P Jorgensen, N De Luca.

ULSTER: B Cunningham, J Topping, A Trimble, P Steinmetz, A Maxwell, D Humphreys, I Boss, B Young, R Best, S Best (capt), J Harrison, M McCullough, N Best, S Ferris, R Wilson. Replacements: N Brady, J Fitzpatrick, R Frost, N McMillan, K Campbell, A Larkin, J Bell.

Ulster last night announced they had completed the signing of two players ahead of next season, with contracts returned from young gun Stephen Ferris and new signing Mike Maguire. Ferris, who made his Ulster debut last October against the Borders and who is still just 20 years old and eligible to play for the Irish U21 side in this summer’s Rugby World Cup, has signed a two year deal, moving from a development contract to a full contract with the senior squad.

Irish qualified New Zealander Mike Maguire (24) will come to Ravenhill from Otago, where he has played NPC Rugby. Maguire is currently on Guinness Premiership side Worcester Warriors’ books, who he joined in December on a six month contract.