THE PRO14 BOOTROOM
ULSTER v EDINBURGH Ravenhill, 7.35
TEAM NEWS: After last week’s thumping of the Southern Kings, injuries to Charles Piutau, Sean Reidy and Rob Lyttle see Jono Gibbes bring in Louis Ludik, Jean Deysel and Tommy Bowe (right) at full-back, backrow and wing respectively with Rob Herring starting at hooker. Edinburgh are strong in the backrow where John Hardie starts alongside fellow Scotland international Cornell du Preez.
VERDICT: Ulster WHY: Last week’s win for Gibbes’ first game in charge has created a feelgood factor and, with the benefit of home advantage, Ulster should get the win — but not as comfortably as against the Kings.
ULSTER: L Ludik; C Gilroy, L Marshall, S McCloskey, T Bowe; J McPhillips, J Cooney; A Warwick, R Herring, W Herbst; A O’Connor (capt), K Treadwell; M Rea, N Timoney, J Deysel. Reps: J Andrew, K McCall, R Ah You, M Dalton, C Henry, J Stewart, D Cave, D Busby.
EDINBURGH: D Fife; J Harries, M Bennett, C Dean, D Van Der Merwe; J Van Der Walt, S Hidalgo-Clyne; J Lay, N Cochrane, M McCallum; F McKenzie (capt), L Carmichael; B Mata, J Hardie, C Du Preez.
Reps: C Fenton, R Sutherland, E Millar Mills, M Bradbury, L Crosbie, N Fowles, D Weir, G Bryce
Referee: N Owens (Wales). TV: LIVE on BBC2 NI from 7.30. CONNACHT v ZEBRE Sportsground, 7.35 TEAM NEWS: Australian Finlay Bealham is set to make his 100th appearance for the province, the Ireland prop replacing Conor Carey at tighthead while Daragh Leader comes in at full-back for the injured Tiernan O’Halloran. Quinn Roux is on the bench after coming on for Ireland last weekend while Sean O’Brien returns to No8 with Eoghan Masterson captaining the side as John Muldoon drops to the bench. VERDICT: Connacht WHY: They are aiming for an eighth successive win in Galway and should be too strong, despite Zebre finding greater resilience under Michael Bradley. CONNACHT: D Leader; C Kelleher, E Griffin, T Farrell, M Healy; C Ronaldson, C Blade; D Coulson, T McCartney, F Bealham; G Thornbury, J Cannon; E Masterson (capt), N Dawai, S O’Brien. Reps: D Heffernan, P McCabe, C Carey, Q Roux, J Muldoon, K Marmion, J Carty, P Ahki. ZEBRE: C Gaffney; G Di Giulio, G Bisegni, F Afamasaga, R Parata; C Canna, G Palazzani; C Ah-Nau, O Fabiani, E Bello; J Tucker, G Biagi (capt); J Meyer, M Mbanda, R Giammarioli. Reps: T D’Apice, A De Marchi, D Chistolini, D Sisi, D Minnie, R Raffaele, S Bordoli, G Venditti. Referee: M Adamson (Scotland). TV: LIVE on TG4 from 7.20.