Head Coach Allen Clarke has made four changes to the Ulster Ravens team to face Cardiff RFC in the British & Irish Cup on Saturday (Cardiff Arms Park, 2.30pm kick off).
Three of those changes come in the pack. Alan O’Connor has taken over in the second row from Neil McComb, who is involved in the Heineken Cup squad. Adam Macklin comes in at tighthead and Andrew Warwick, who helped Ballymena retain the First Trust Senior Cup on Wednesday evening, has been given the nod at loosehead. Niall Annett will join those two in the front row and will also take over the captaincy from his Belfast Harlequins colleague McComb.
The unchanged back row of Conor Joyce, Ali Birch and Mike McComish will be hoping to enjoy another fine outing after helping the Ravens defeat Cardiff 40-14 at Ravenhill last weekend.
The one change in the backs will see Rory Scholes come in for Chris Cochrane on the left wing, with Ricky Andrew and Adam D’Arcy completing the back three. Michael Heaney and Stuart Olding are the half backs, while Clarke has maintained the creative midfield of Niall O’Connor and Michael Allen.
Ballynahinch lock John Donnan has received a call up to the bench alongside fellow forwards Rob Herring, Conor Carey and Sean O’Connell. The other subs are scrumhalf Blane McIlroy, centre Stuart McCloskey and Queen’s University utility back Ross Adair.
Ravens XV & subs to play Cardiff RFC in Pool 1 of the British & Irish Cup, Sat 15th December, Cardiff Arms Park (kick off 2.30pm):
(15-9): Adam D’Arcy; Ricky Andrew, Michael Allen, Niall O’Connor, Rory Scholes; Stuart Olding, Michael Heaney;
(1-8): Andrew Warwick, Niall Annett (capt), Adam Macklin, Alan O’Connor, James Simpson, Conor Joyce, Ali Birch, Mike McComish;
(16-22): Rob Herring, Conor Carey, John Donnan, Sean O’Connell, Blane McIlroy, Stuart McCloskey, Ross Adair.
Management Team: Allen Clarke, Gary Longwell, Alan Rankin, Kieran Campbell, David Drake, David Minion.
