Ulster’s big five to miss Munster game

ULSTER will be without all five of their international squad members for Friday night’s Magners League interpro with in-form Munster at Ravenhill.

Andrew Trimble and Paddy Wallace are missing from the three-quarter line, while Rory Best, Tom Court and Stephen Ferris are absent up front.

With Ian Humphreys and Ruan Pienaar the likely half-back pair, and Ian Whitten in midfield, it will leave the hosts short on experience behind the scrum with Ballynahinch winger Nevin Spence set to be named in midfield.

Coach Brian McLaughlin is likely to use the same back three of full-back Adam D’Arcy and wingers MarkMcCrea and David McIlwaine that played in the defeat against Edinburgh last week.

Up front, Willie Faloon will be used as an out-and-out openside with Pedrie Wannenburg returning to blindside with Robbie Diack at number 8.

With skipper Best absent, Johann Muller will lead the side with Nigel Brady taking over the number 2 jersey.

“Nobody is under any illusions what to expect,” said Brady. “No matter who pulls on the red jersey they will present a very physical battle. We have to give as much as we get.

McLaughlin sees it as a chance to get back on the rails after two defeats.

He said: “It’s good that we have this game which will be a blood and guts affair.

“It will give us the opportunity to find our feet again in a big pressure tie. Munster are historically very aggressive and physical and that will be the same on Friday. They have come off two very good wins, so they will have their tails up, full of confidence and we have to met them head on with the same determination.

“If we don’t match Munster’s physicality they could blow us away.”

ULSTER (Forwards): A Whitten, P McAllister, B Young, BJ Botha, J Cronin, N Brady, A Kyriacou, T Barker, J Muller, D Tuohy, N McComb, C Henry, R Caldwell, W Faloon, R Diack, P Wannenburg.

(Backs): A D’Arcy, D McIlwaine, P Emerick, M McCrea, T Seymour, L Marshall, J Shiels, I Whitten, N Spence, I Humphreys, N O’Connor, R Pienaar, P Marshall, I Porter.