Ulster with an outside chance to play home semi-final of Magners League – Rugby news
Ulster are slightly better placed for their spot in the Magners League play-offs as compared to the Blues, Ospreys and Scarlets. Currently Ulster is placed third in the Magners League table, two points behind Leinster. Ulster just need either a losing or
try bonus point in their last round match of the season against the Dragons to secure a place in the semi-finals. The club is leading Blues, Ospreys and Scarlets by three, four and six points respectively.
Ulster and Dragons will be playing their 22nd match of the Magners League on Friday May 6, at Rodney Parade, Newport.
Blues, Scarlets and Ospreys will play their remaining matches on Friday, May 6th, as all the last round matches will start at the same time and the same day for the first time in the history of the Magners League.
Ulster will enter the match under less pressure as compared to Blues, Ospreys and Scarlets because even a defeat by margin of seven points or less will be good enough for them to take them into the semi-finals of the Magners League.
However, a win for Ulster will provide them with an outside chance to secure a home semi-final if Glasgow defeats Leinster in their Friday encounter at Royal Dublin Society, Ireland.
Ulster match preparation depicts that they will be trying their hardest to secure a home semi-final. For this purpose, Ulster coach, Brian McLaughlin, has decided they will go all out with the best resources available to the team.
The return of Ulster’s props Tom Court and Declan Fitzpatrick have boosted their match preparations. Both have made timely recoveries from injuries and gained full fitness. The Friday match will provide them with an opportunity to have some match practice
before the crunch play-offs game. Tom Court and Declan Fitzpatrick return has moved Paddy McAllister and Jerry Cronin on to the bench for the last round game.
Ulster will be without the services of Willie Faloon who earlier sustained a shoulder injury as Robbie Diack moves from the bench to the number eight position. Ulster’s are still waiting on Stephen Ferris, Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble and BJ Botha who are
carrying knee, thumb, and knee injuries respectively.
Dragons are coming into the game against Ulster from their landmark victory over the Blues at Newport. Following this impressive performance, Dragons have opted to continue with Steffan Jones at fullback. Dragons have left out their centre Ashley Smith with
Pat Leach replacing him for the Friday’s encounter. Dan Way has made way for Ben Castle on bench.
Dragons
Starting XV: 15 Stefan Jones, 14 Adam Hughes, 13 Tom Riley, 12 Pat Leach, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Jason Tovey, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Danny Lydiate, 5 Adam Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Dan Way, 2 Lloyd Burns, 1 Phil Price.
Replacements: 16 Tom Willis, 17 Hugh Gustafson, 18 Ben Castle, 19 Andrew Coombs, 20 Joe Bearman, 21 Matthew Watkins, 22 Jon Evans, 23 Mathew Jones.
Ulster
Starting XV: 15 Adam D'Arcy, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Nevin Spence, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Pedrie Wannenburg, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Johann Muller, 3 Declan Fitzpatrick,
2 Rory Best (c), 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Paddy McAllister, 18 Jerry Cronin, 19 Tim Barker, 20 TJ Anderson, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Ian Whitten, 23 C Gaston.
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