ERC clear Ulster lock McCullough of racism allegations

EUROPEAN Rugby Cup have cleared Ulster lock Matt McCullough of two misconduct charges in relation to allegations of racist language towards London Irish winger Delon Armitage last month.

McCullough was charged with abusing Armitage “during and after the Heineken Cup Pool Five matches between the teams at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, December 9 2006 and at Ravenhill on Friday, December 15 2006.”

McCullough appeared before an independent disciplinary committee in Dublin today to answer the two misconduct complaints.

An ERC statement said: “Having heard four hours of evidence the independent disciplinary committee, chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar (Scotland) and also comprising Paul Mauriac (France) and Aurwell Morgan (Wales), determined that a prima facie case had not been established.

“The disciplinary committee accordingly determined that the misconduct complaints against Mr McCullough should not be upheld.”

Meanwhile Ulster have been forced into changes for Saturday’s Magners League encounter because of their absent Ireland stars.

Bryn Cunningham, Paul Marshall, Scott Young, Stuart Philpott, Declan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Caldwell and David Pollock are brought into the squad.

The Ospreys face a second row crisis although Mike Powell’s neck injury is not as serious as first feared.

Ian Evans and Lyndon Bateman are long term injuries while Alun Wyn Jones is with Wales.

Gareth Jenkins has asked for Brent Cockbain to play.

Jonathan Thomas could be in if he is over a shoulder injury.

Gavin Henson is likely to feature at full-back at the request of the Wales squad.

Hookers Huw Bennett and Richard Hibbard are back to fitness and available for selection.

But Sonny Parker, Filo Tiatia, Jon Vaughton and Lee Byrne are unlikely to return before April, while there are a total of eight Ospreys in the Wales squad.

David Bishop is out for the season, while Matthew Jones, Tim Evans and Craig Mitchell hope to return from knee injuries at the end of February.

Ulster coach Mark McCall has included internationals Bryan Young and Tommy Bowe, who have not been selected for Ireland’s opening Six Nation fixture against Wales.

Hooker Philpott, if selected, will win his first cap for Ulster.

ULSTER (squad v Ospreys): Backs: K Campbell, P Marshall, A Larkin, P Steinmetz, K Maggs, S Young, P McKenzie, M Bartholomeusz, B Cunningham, T Bowe.

Forwards: J Fitzpatrick, B Young, D Fitzpatrick, P Shields, S Philpott, J Harrison (c), M McCullough, R Caldwell, T Barker, K Dawson, R Wilson, S Ferris, D Pollock.

Referee: P Allen (Scotland)