INJURY DOUBTS OVER fly-half Ian Humphreys (hamstring) and back row Pedrie Wannenburg (ankle) have been allayed, both will start Ulster’s penultimate pool game of this years Heineken Cup.
In the only change to last week’s Pro12 victory in Edinburgh, Paddy Wallace will take up the number 12 jersey at the expense of Ian Whitten who is relegated to the bench.
During the week both scrum-halves Ruan Pienaar and Paul Marshal signed new contracts with the northern province and both are involved with Pienaar continuing his half-back partnership with Humphreys.
“To beat Leicester, you have to beat them up front.” Head coach Brian McLaughlin told ulsterrugby.com, and that task will be made all the more difficult with the return of props, Marcos Ayerza and Martin Castrogiovanni, to the Tigers’ line-up.
“We’ve rotated the squad over the last few weeks so we go there fresh and ready,” said Richard Cockerill, adding that:
“It will be tough because Ulster are a good team and it is a very tough pool. It is a must-win game for both sides. At this stage of the Heineken Cup that is what it is all about.”
Leicester captain, Geordan Murphy, echoed his director of rugby’s sentiment telling ercrugby.com that: ”Ravenhill is a fortress – a very tough place to go and get a win.”
The Irish full back, who now holds Leicester’s record for Heineken Cup appearances, is viewing tomorrow as a make or break match for his side in their bid for a quarter final berth
“It’s turned out to be a very tight group. Ulster are a very, very strong side at home and Clermont are also very difficult to beat. To have the group in our control, we have to go and get two wins in the final two games.”
Ulster currently lead Leicester by two points, at the top of pool four. You can see the full line-ups here.
