International stars back for Ulster
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:37
Ulster coach Matt Williams named an extended team on Tuesday, for their pre-season fixture against Worcester Warriors at Ravenhill on Wednesday night.
Williams has made wholesale changes to the starting XV that defeated the Reds last Friday night at Ravenhill. With only five players starting from the Reds game, Williams has named a vastly different side and welcomed Irish squad members Andrew Trimble and Ryan Caldwell into the squad, as well as naming eleven replacements.
The front row sees Tom Court and Bryan Young swap positions from last week, with Court starting at loosehead prop and Young at tighthead. Rory Best does not feature in the squad and is replaced by Nigel Brady as hooker for the side.
In the second row, Italian International Carlo Del Fava will start alongside Ryan Caldwell. The back row is entirely different from last week with Matt McCullough, Kieron Dawson and Chris Henry all starting, thus relegating Thomas Anderson and Robbie Diack to the bench, while David Pollock drops out of the squad.
The backline is transformed with only Paddy Wallace and Timoci Nagusa surviving from the Reds game. Paul Marshall and Paddy Wallace form the halfback partnership with Mark McCrea and Nagusa on either wing. Ulster player and new backs coach Paul Steinmetz, is named alongside Irish International Andrew Trimble in the midfield.
With Williams naming eleven replacements, it looks like he is keen to try out more players ahead of the start of the Magners League next Friday, when Ulster take on the Scarlets at Ravenhill.
Matt Williams is aware of the challenge Worcester will present and commented on the need for his team to make that step up.
"They [Worcester] are like us, coming to the end of our pre-season and gearing up for the start of a big league campaign," said Williams.
"It will be another step up, but at the same time, what has been good for us is that we are seeing young players coming through who have shown us they are ready for the next step.
"I have been really encouraged by the players over the last few months in particular for the two pre-season games, their commitment and attitude has been exceptional and the Worcester game will be a good test for some players who haven't featured against either Bath or the Reds.
"We play Scarlets next Friday at Ravenhill and start what we hope will be a successful league campaign, so obviously a win against Worcester would be a great boost for the players," Williams added.
Worcester have confirmed that Australian International Chris Latham, who signed a two year deal with Worcester last season and transferred this summer from the Reds, is set to make his Worcester debut at Ravenhill on Wednesday evening.
Australian ace Latham currently stands as the second highest try scorer in Wallaby history and played in every match at Rugby World Cup 2007, scoring five tries to take his total to 40 tries and 200 points in 78 games for his country.
The 32-year-old started his career with the Waratahs before moving to Queensland in 1998. He has been awarded the Australia Super 12/14 Player of the Year award on four occasions in 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Worcester Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock for one is looking forward to seeing the Australian don the Warriors jersey.
"We are delighted to be able to give Chris Latham a first start now he has made a full recovery," said Ruddick.
"He is very keen to get started for the club and we look forward to seeing him in a Warriors shirt for the first time, it will be a special moment for the club," he added.
Ulster: 15 B Cunningham, 14 T Nagusa, 13 A Trimble, 12 P Steinmetz, 11 M McCrea, 10 P Wallace, 9 P Marshall, 8 C Henry, 7 K Dawson (captain), 6 M McCullough, 5 R Caldwell, 4 C Del Fava, 3 B Young, 2 N Brady, 1 T Court.
Replacements -
from: 16 S Philpott, 17 J Fitzpatrick, 18 R Diack, 19 W Faloon, 20 C Willis, 21 T Anderson, 22 I Humphreys, 23 I Whitten, 24 C Cochrane, 25 N O'Connor, 26 R Dewey.
With thanks to ulsterrugby.com
