B&I Cup: Ravens XV Named for Currie fixture

Ravens coach Gary Longwell has made six personnel changes and three positional changes in his starting XV to face Currie on Friday evening.

The Ravens travel to Scotland for their second British & Irish Cup game, a week after they opened their campaign with a comprehensive 39-7 home win over Doncaster.

Andi Kyriacou replaces Nigel Brady at hooker and he will also take over the captaincy role. Conor Carey, Conor Joyce and Sean O’Connell get opportunities to impress up front as they come in for Adam Macklin, Mike McComish and Robbie Diack. Ali Birch moves from blindside to openside flanker to accommodate Joyce. Neil McComb and Tim Barker continue their second row partnership.

In the backs, James McKinney replaces Paddy Jackson at outhalf, with Blane McIlroy retaining the number 9 jersey. Chris Farrell has dropped out of the squad so Ian Whitten moves to inside centre and Michael Allen takes over from Whitten’s at outside centre. Conor Gaston occupies the right wing berth vacated by Allen, with Chris Cochrane and Peter Nelson again starting in the back three.

Ulster Ravens XV & Replacement to face Currie, B&I Cup, Fri 18th Nov, Malleny Park, ko 19.30
(15-9): Peter Nelson, Conor Gaston, Michael Allen, Ian Whitten, Chris Cochrane, James McKinney, Blane McIlroy
(1-8): Callum Black, Andy Kyriacou (capt), Conor Carey, Tim Barker, Neil McComb, Conor Joyce, Ali Birch, Sean O’Connell
(16-22): Niall Annett, Richard Lutton, James Simpson, Neil Faloon, Michael Heaney, Chris Quinn, Ricky Andrew

Management Team:
Gary Longwell
David Drake
Niall Malone
Rory Murray
Terry McMaster
Dr Richard Wilson