Young guns for Ulster’s crucial game at Ravenhill

BALLYMENA’S Bryan Young could not ask for a tougher Heineken Cup baptism when he lines out opposite former Springbok strongman Cobus Visagie as Ulster take on Group Four leaders Saracens at Ravenhill tonight (7.30 pm).

Saracens were the last side to defeat Ulster in a European game at Ravenhill, in 2001, when they won 21-13.

Ulster, meanwhile, need another home win to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages alive.

Young finds himself filling the void left by the experienced campaigner Justin Fitzpatrick in an otherwise unchanged side from that which gained a massive boost, last week, with the defeat of Munster.

“It could not be a bigger or better occasion to make my Euro starting debut. It is going to be a massive game and night for us,” said the 24-year-old former Irish Schools’ loose-head.

“Opportunities have not been coming readily for me over the years, and then I had that bit of bad luck against Ospreys when I started out at tight-head.

“It was unfortunate for Justin Fitzpatrick to pick up his hand injury, but that meant there was a chance for me to show the potential that I believed I had myself.

“Last Saturday in Cork was definitely my personal best in an Ulster shirt,” added Young, who never flinched in his duel with Ireland’s John Hayes.

“I knew I had the potential, and I have been playing well with Ballymena to get myself into a position in the Ulster squad - where the coaches are now giving me opportunities.

“In the past I maybe did not take them as well as I could or should have. However, to go out last week, put in a performance and take my chance; it was really pleasing for me.”

Young is rated as a ball-playing prop, which is a step away from the usual hard-grind of front-row play.

“I maybe can get about a bit more, but at the end of the day, ultimately, it is important to work as a unit. I am pushing the person beside me as they do to me.

“Everybody has their job to do for a team. It does matter who you are, and that is exactly the spirit this side has. I would assume that spirit will help us over a difficult hurdle tonight. Saracens are not at the top of the table for nothing.

It is one of ‘never say die’ and keep fighting to the end, just as we did against Munster.”

ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, K Maggs, A Trimble, P Steinmetz; D Humphreys, K Campbell; B Young, R Best, S Best, J Harrison, M McCullough, S Best, R Wilson, N McMillan. Replacements: N Brady, R Moore, R Caldwell, S Ferris, I Boss, A Larkin, J Topping.

SARACENS: D Scarbrough; P Bailey, T Casaignede, K Sorrell, T Vaikona; G Jackson, K Bracken; K Yates, S Byrne, C Visagie, S Raiwalui, K Chesney, H Vyvyan, B Russell, B Skirving.