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Rob Herring returns from a three-week absence. Presseye/Darren Kidd/INPHO
big fish

Boost for Ulster as Herring returns to skipper side

Director of rugby Les Kiss has made four changes to his starting XV for the visit of Zebre.

ROB HERRING HAS returned from a hamstring injury as one of four changes to Ulster’s side to take on Zebre in the Pro12 on Friday night (7.35pm).

After a disappointing 23-12 defeat to Cardiff Blues in Wales last week, which followed a one-point home loss to the Scarlets, fourth-placed Ulster are desperate to get back to winning ways.

And seeing the 24-year-old Herring back in the side following a three-week absence, with John Andrew dropping to the bench, will come as a timely boost.

Director of rugby Les Kiss has named a completely different front row with Kyle McCall and Ricky Lutton selected ahead of Callum Black and Bronson Ross.

The rest of the pack is unchanged, with Peter Browne and Franco van der Merwe paired in the second row and Robbie Diack, Chris Henry and Nick Williams selected in the loose forward positions.

Rory Scholes, who this week signed a deal that will see him move to Edinburgh next season, comes into the backline and is named on the right wing, with Craig Gilroy moving to fullback and Jacob Stockdale retained on the left flank.

With Sammy Arnold unavailable due to a hamstring injury, Stuart Olding will switch from fullback to inside centre. He will be joined in midfield by Luke Marshall, who signed a contract extension with the province earlier this week.

Ruan Pienaar and Paddy Jackson will continue their half-back partnership.

Paul Marshall has overcome a virus and has been selected on the bench, while Sam Windsor and Darren Cave will also provide backline cover.

Andrew, Black, Andy Warwick, Roger Wilson and Sean Reidy are the forward replacements.

Irish fly-half Ian McKinley will start from the bench for the Italian side.

Ulster

15. Craig Gilroy
14. Rory Scholes
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart Olding
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Ruan Pienaar

1. K McCall
2. R Herring (captain)
3. R Lutton
4. P Browne
5. F van der Merwe
6. R Diack
7. C Henry
8. N Williams

Replacements:

16. John Andrew
17. Callum Black
18. Andy Warwick
19. Roger Wilson
20. Sean Reidy
21. Paul Marshall
22. Sam Windsor
23. Darren Cave

Zebre

15. Mils Muliaina
14. Giulio Toniolatti
13. Giulio Bisegni
12. Tommaso Castello
11. Kayle Van Zyl
10. Edoardo Padovani
9. Fabio Semenzato

8. Federico Ruzza
7. Johan Meyer
6. Emiliano Caffini
5. Marco Bortolami (cap)
4. Quintin Geldenhuys
3. Dario Chistolini
2. Oliviero Fabiani
1. Andrea De Marchi

Replacements:

16. Emiliano Coria
17. Guillermo Roan
18. Pietro Ceccarelli
19. Gideon Koegelenberg
20. Filippo Cristiano
21. Luke Burgess
22. Ian McKinley
23. Ulrich Beyers

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