Connacht v Ulster: Teams
Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has made now fewer than 12 changes to his starting XV for Saturday's Pro 12 clash with Connacht.
Last Updated: 13/04/12 4:24pm
Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has made 12 changes to his starting XV for Saturday's Pro 12 clash with Connacht at the Sportsground.
The Ulster coach has rested a number of his leading performers so fly-half Ian Humphreys, full-back Stefan Terblanche and prop Tom Court are the only players retained from the side that defeated Munster in last weekend's Heineken Cup quarter-final.
In the backs, Paul Marshall deputises at scrum-half for Ruan Pienaar who starts as a substitute.
There is a new centre combination with Ireland U20 captain Paddy Jackson partnering Nevin Spence, while Adam D'Arcy and Ian Whitten replace Andrew Trimble and Craig Gilroy on the wings, with the latter dropping to the bench after his try of the season contender at Thomond Park.
Up front, Nigel Brady starts as hooker in place of Rory Best and also takes over from Johann Muller as captain.
Tom Court moves across the scrum to tighthead prop, with Paddy McAllister starting at loosehead. Lewis Stevenson and Neil McComb start together in the second row for the first time. Dynamic trio Mike McComish, Willie Faloon and Robbie Diack form an all new back row in place of Stephen Ferris, Chris Henry and Pedrie Wannenburg.
The game is vital for Ulster's hopes of finishing in the top four of the RaboDirect PRO12 and a win could send them into second place - they currently sit in fifth spot but are just three points adrift of second-placed Ospreys.
One change for Connacht
Meanwhile, the Connacht side remains largely unchanged from the XV that defeated the Dragons two weeks ago at Rodney Parade with just one change to the starting line-up.
George Naoupu will don the number eight jersey with John Muldoon moving back to his more recognised position at blindside flanker.
The replacements see Johnny O'Connor return to the squad; he has been out of action since fracturing his eye-socket against Leinster on New Year's Day, while Eoin Griffin also makes the bench having missed the Dragons match through a knee injury.
"Looking back on our last two performances we had a very good effort against Munster, just not the result we wanted, we had the same team out against the Dragons and to be fair to the boys they were excellent," said head coach Eric Elwood.
"So there are not too many changes, on saying that there's one positional change and it's great to welcome George back for such an important game. He's been a big player for us all year so that's a big boost for us .It's great as well to have Johnny O'Connor and Eoin Griffin back for such an important derby match."
Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy (C), 14 Tiernan O'Halloran, 13 Kyle Tonetti, 12 Henry Fa'afili, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Miah Nikora, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 George Naoupu, 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 John Muldoon, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Ronan Loughney, 2 Ethienne Reynecke, 1 Brett Wilkinson
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Denis Buckley, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Mick Kearney, 20 Johnny O'Connor, 21 Paul O'Donohoe, 22 Matthew Jarvis, 23 Eoin Griffin
Ulster: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Ian Whitten, 13 Nevin Spence, 12 Paddy Jackson, 11 Adam D'Arcy, 10 I Humphreys, 9 Paul Marshall, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Willie Faloon, 6 Mike McComish, 5 N McComb, 4 Lewis Stevenson, 3 Tom Court, 2 Nigel Brady (capt), 1 Paddy McAllister
Replacements: 16 Andi Kyriacou, 17 Callum Black, 18 Adam Macklin, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Ali Birch, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Craig Gilroy, 23 Michael Allen
