THE ABSENCE OF the influential John Cooney through a shoulder injury makes this evening’s task all the more difficult for Ulster.
After an improved second-half performance took Dan McFarland’s side past Leicester Tigers last weekend, their second-round pool tie against Racing 92 in Paris today [KO 5.30pm Irish time, BT Sport] is daunting.
The French side enjoyed victory away to Scarlets last time out and back at their Paris La Défense Arena, Racing will expect to put Ulster to the sword.
The loss of Cooney’s goal-kicking and game-managing class could be telling for Ulster, with Dave Shanahan handed the number nine jersey in his absence and Jonny Stewart offering back-up on the bench.
The other two changes to McFarland’s starting side could provide a fillip, however, with Marty Moore starting at tighthead after an impressive appearance off the bench last week, and Kieran Treadwell rotated into the second row in place of Alan O’Connor.
20-year-old prospect Michael Lowry continues at fullback after dealing with Leicester’s aerial bombardment last weekend, while Will Addison and Stuart McCloskey should be important in midfield again.
With Billy Burns steering the ship from out-half, the likes of captain Rory Best, Moore, lock Iain Henderson and back rows Marcell Coetzee and Jordi Murphy will need to be in destructive form against Racing.
The French side have shifted the familiar face of Simon Zebo into their 15 shirt after he started on the wing against Scarlets, while Finn Russell at out-half will also be well-known to the Ulstermen.
Teddy Thomas is back on the right wing in a dangerous backline that also includes Argentinian flyer Juan Imhoff, although Donnacha Ryan misses out through injury as Dominic Bird and Leone Nakarawa start in the second row.
Hooker Camille Chat will be as abrasive as ever, while a back row of Bernard le Roux, Wenceslas Lauret, and Antonie Claassen will be gritty. Watch out for the dynamic wonderkid Jordan Joseph off the bench.
All in all, it would be a stunning achievement for Ulster to cause an upset in Paris, and earning a losing bonus-point would be a fine result without Cooney.
Racing 92:
15. Simon Zebo
14. Teddy Thomas
13. Olivier Klemenczak
12. Henry Chavancy (captain)
11. Juan Imhoff
10. Finn Russell
9. Xavier Chauveau
1. Guram Gogichashvili
2. Camille Chat
3. Cedate Gomes Sa
4. Dominic Bird
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Wenceslas Lauret
7. Bernard Le Roux
8. Antonie Claassen
Replacements:
16. Teddy Baubigny
17. Vasil Kakovin
18. Census Johnston
19. Fabien Sanconnie
20. Jordan Joseph
21. Teddy Iribaren
22. Ben Volavola
23. Léonard Paris
Ulster:
15. Michael Lowry
14. Craig Gilroy
13. Will Addison
12. Stuart McCloskey
12. Jacob Stockdale
10. Billy Burns
9. David Shanahan
1. Andrew Warwick
2. Rory Best (captain)
3. Marty Moore
4. Iain Henderson
5. Kieran Treadwell
6. Marcell Coetzee
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Nick Tomeney
Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney
17. Eric O’Sullivan
18. Ross Kane
19. Alan O’Connor
20. Sean Reidy
21. Jonny Stewart
22. Johnny McPhillips
23. Angus Kernohan
Referee: Nigel Owens [WRU].
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