Baloucoune to make first Ulster start since Six Nations in Bilbao final

Ireland's Robert Baloucoune has won his fitness race for Ulster's big night.  Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Ireland winger Robert Baloucoune will make his first start for Ulster since the Six Nations in Friday night's Challenge Cup final with Montpellier in Bilbao.

Baloucoune picked up an injury in Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations Triple Crown clinching test against Scotland in March.

In the front row, Wallaby international Angus Bell starts at loosehead prop, with Ireland internationals Tom Stewart and Tom O’Toole starting at hooker and tighthead prop.

In the second row, Harry Sheridan and Irish international, Cormac Izuchukwu, start in the forwards’ engine room.

In the back row, David McCann is passed fit following a recent knee injury to start at blindside flanker. Captain, Nick Timoney, starts at openside flanker, while in-form South African, Juarno Augustus, starts at number eight.

Scrum-Half, Nathan Doak, starts alongside Jack Murphy at fly-half.

In the midfield centre pairing, Jude Postlethwaite starts at inside centre, while James Hume starts at outside centre.

In the back three positions, top try-scorer Zac Ward starts on the left wing, with Baloucoune starting on the right wing. Michael Lowry starts at full-back, completing the starting XV.

In a strong bench, head coach Richie Murphy opts for a 5:3 split, with James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Charlie Irvine and Bryn Ward the forward replacements.

Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Ethan McIlroy form the backline options for the final.

ULSTER: M Lowry, R Baloucoune, J Hume, J Postlethwaite, Z Ward, J Murphy, N Doak: A Bell, T Stewart, T O’Toole, H Sheridan, C Izuchukwu, D McCann, N Timoney, J Augustus,

Replacements: J McCormick, E O’Sullivan, S Wilson, C Irvine, B Ward, C McKee, J Flannery, E McIlroy