Ulster XV named for Treviso encounter
Ireland duo Andrew Trimble and Paul Marshall have been included in the Ulster line up to play Treviso on Friday (kick off 6.05pm GMT).
Number 8 Roger Wilson has been named as captain for the RaboDirect PRO12 encounter, with 20 year old Peter Nelson earning just his second start at fullback.
In total there are six personnel changes and one positional switch. Up front sees an all new front row of Tom Court, Rob Herring and Declan Fitzpatrick deployed in place of Callum Black, Nigel Brady and John Afoa respectively.
The second row pairing of Robbie Diack and Neil McComb will continue after impressing in the narrow win over Zebre on Sunday past. The back row is also unchanged with Nick Williams and Mike McComish named on either side of the scrum and Wilson at the base.
Marshall’s inclusion alongside Niall O’Connor at half back means Michael Heaney must be content with a place on the bench. Outside of them, Paddy Wallace and Jared Payne, playing in midfield for the third consecutive match, will be tasked with providing much of the creativity.
With Trimble named on the right wing, Michael Allen has switched to the left touchline at the expense of Chris Cochrane. That leaves Academy player Nelson, who has made three previous appearances, lining out at fullback in place of Ricky Andrew.
Last week’s starting front row are all on the bench this time out, with James Simpson and Ali Birch also providing forward cover. Heaney, Cochrane and Ireland U20 inside back Stuart Olding are the other substitutes.
The game will be televised live on BBC2 NI (red button).
Ulster team & replacements to play Treviso, RaboDirect PRO12, Stadio Monigo, Friday 23rd November (kick off 6.05pm GMT):
(15-9): P Nelson; A Trimble, J Payne, P Wallace, M Allen; N O’Connor, P Marshall;
(1-8): T Court, R Herring, D Fitzpatrick, R Diack, N McComb, N Williams, M McComish, R Wilson (capt);
Replacements (16-23): N Brady, C Black, J Afoa, J Simpson, A Birch, M Heaney, S Olding, C Cochrane.
