BJ to 'hit the ground running'
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:39
South African tighthead prop Brendon 'BJ' Botha will make his first start for Ulster against the Llanelli Scarlets in the first game of Ulster's 2008/09 Magners League campaign at Ravenhill on Friday.
Botha, who joined the squad last weekend, has only trained with the side this week but coach Matt Williams is confident that the powerful scrummager will be ready for the game.
"Brendon has been training with the Sharks for the last few weeks so I have no concerns over his fitness levels," Williams said.
"He has impressed us all at training this week and I am delighted to name him in the side. It is important to hit the ground running and I feel we have picked a strong side for the first game.
"We are ready for the Scarlets, I have mentioned this week in the media that we have had selection issues in that we have a great squad to choose from, that is something I am really pleased about.
"Scarlets are a good side and have recruited well over the summer, they will be keen to lay down the law at Ravenhill as we meet them again in the Heineken Cup in December, but we are determined to get our season off to a good start and build that confidence in the team up."
Williams has made several changes from his side that were defeated by a strong Worcester team in a pre-season outing at Ravenhill over a week ago.
The front row is transformed with Ulster stalwart Justin Fitzpatrick named at loosehead, Ulster captain Rory Best at hooker and new Ulster signing Botha at tighthead.
In the second row Italian lock Carlo Del Fava partners new recruit Ed O'Donoghue, the back row sees another South African in Robbie Diack return at No.8, with McCullough and Dawson named as the two flanks.
Isaac Boss (No.9) and Paddy Wallace (No.10) are named as the halfback pairing, with former Australia A player Clinton Schifcofske named at fullback. Ireland star Andrew Trimble starts on the right wing, with Fijian International Timoci Nagusa named on the left wing.
The centre pairing of strong Scotsman Rob Dewey and speedy youngster Darren Cave will no doubt cause Scarlets problems.
Ulster: 15 Clinton Schifcofske, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Rob Dewey, 11 Timoci Nagusa, 10 Paddy Wallace, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Kieron Dawson, 6 Matt McCullough, 5 Ed O'Donoghue, 4 Carlo Del Fava, 3 Brendon Botha, 2 Rory Best (captain), 1 Justin Fitzpatrick.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Tom Court, 18 Ryan Caldwell, 19 David Pollock, 20 Cillian Willis, 21 Niall O'Connor, 22 Bryn Cunningham.
Date: Friday, September 5
Venue: Ravenhill, Belfast
Kick-off: 19.30 (18.30 GMT)
Referee: Peter Allan (Scotland)
Touch judges: David Keane (Ireland), Peter Haycock (Ireland)
