Fit-again Coetzee is determined to help young stars blossom
WITH Iain Henderson and John Cooney, as expected, named in the Ulster line-up to take on Scarlets at Kingspan Stadium this evening (5.15pm kick-off), new coach Dan McFarland has been able to select a strong XV for his first game in charge of the northern province.
While key absentees remain — most notably Rory Best, Rob Herring, Jacob Stockdale and long-term injury victims Louis Ludik and Luke Marshall — the Irish international duo’s early return after the summer tour to Australia gives the hosts eight internationally-capped players in the run-on side.
That includes 19-times-capped Wallaby Henry Speight, who will be pulling on the Ulster jersey for the first time and starting on the left wing, opposite last season’s top scorer Craig Gilroy.
Another debutant will be in the full-back position with former Sale man Will Addison getting the nod. There is a familiar centre pairing with Stuart McCloskey starting inside Darren Cave, while Cooney will team up with another new signing, Billy Burns, in the half-back positions.
Arguably the biggest boost of all, though, will be the sight of Marcell Coetzee starting in the back-row after a two-and-a-halfyear injury nightmare.
The Springbok tore his ACL before even joining the northern province and has managed just five outings in his first two seasons in Belfast.
“The thing I have learned through my career is that you are not always in control of what happens,” Coetzee said.
“But I can control my attitude, my work rate, my performance and my willingness to help a young player develop.”
He will be joined in the backrow by Nick Timoney and Sean Reidy, while Alan O’Connor will captain the side alongside Henderson in the engine room.
It is up front and on the bench where Ulster’s absentees seem most notable. With both Best and Herring absent, John Andrew starts at hooker with Adam McBurney on the bench.
Summer acquisition Marty Moore picked up an injury in training so Tom O’Toole gets the nod at tight-head, backed up by Ross Kane.
On the other side of the scrum, Andy Warwick claims the No.1 jersey to start the season with Academy man Eric O’Sullivan set for his debut off the bench.
Another potential first outing in the senior side could be from Angus Kernohan, the sub-Academy winger who impressed during pre-season and scored a try against Wasps in a friendly last week.
The more experienced figures of Chris Henry and Kieran Treadwell will also be on the bench.
Scarlets are missing a few names too but arrive boasting plenty of talent for what should be an exciting opening clash.