ULSTER HAVE NAMED a full-strength side and will face a weakened version of pool leaders Stade Francais in Round 4 of the Challenge Cup at Affidea Stadium on Saturday (Premier Sports, 1pm).
Ulster, who were awarded a bonus-point victory over the Cheetahs when their Round 3 game in Amsterdam was cancelled due to inclement weather, have broadly reverted to the side that trounced Munster in Belfast on 2 January.
Into Richie Murphy’s starting XV, however, come lock Harry Sheridan, back row Dave McCann, and wing Rob Baloucoune, who replace Joe Hopes, Cormac Izuchukwu and Werner Kok respectively.
Paul Gustard’s Stade have named a significantly weakened side ahead of next weekend’s Top 14 trip to Bordeaux, who sit behind them in fourth place in the league table only on points difference.
The Parisians’ starting front row will consist of an American, a Spaniard and Georgian, with backups Jack Iscaro, Alvaro Garcia Albo and Giorgi Melikidze all getting the nod.
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First-team lock Jacques Botha is partnered in the second row by 19-year-old Pierre-Henri Azagoh, while Mathieu Hirigoyen will make his 15th appearance of the season in a heavily shuffled pack.
Experienced South African centre Jeremy Ward, a regular starter, captains the side from 13, with Paul Abadie also named at scrum-half, but the Parisians have significantly rotated their backline which otherwise consists of fringe players and youngsters.
Ulster
15. Jacob Stockdale
14. Robert Baloucoune
13. James Hume
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Zac Ward
10. Jack Murphy
9. Nathan Doak
1. Angus Bell
2. Tom Stewart
3. Tom O’Toole
4. Iain Henderson (Captain)
5. Harry Sheridan
6. Dave McCann
7. Nick Timoney
8. Bryn Ward
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring
17. Eric O’Sullivan
18. Scott Wilson
19. Matt Dalton
20. Sean Reffell
21. Conor McKee
22. Jake Flannery
23. Jude Postlethwaite
Stade Francais
15. Mathis Ibo
14. Charles Laloi
13. Jeremy Ward (Captain)
12. Tani Vili
11. Lester Etien
10. Zack Henry
9. Paul Abadie
1. Jack Iscaro
2. Alvaro Garcia Albo
3. Giorgi Melikidze
4. Pierre-Henri Azagoh
5. Jacques Botha
6. Juan-Martin Scelzo
7. Mathieu Hirigoyen
8. Yoan Tanga
Replacements:
16. Lucas Peyresblanques
17. Yanis Lux
18. Sergo Abramishvili
19. Setareki Turagacoke
20. Tanginoa Halaifonua
21. Thibaut Motassi
22. Louis Foursans-Bourdette
23. Samuel Ezeala
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Ulster go full-strength for home clash with weakened pool leaders Stade Francais
ULSTER HAVE NAMED a full-strength side and will face a weakened version of pool leaders Stade Francais in Round 4 of the Challenge Cup at Affidea Stadium on Saturday (Premier Sports, 1pm).
Ulster, who were awarded a bonus-point victory over the Cheetahs when their Round 3 game in Amsterdam was cancelled due to inclement weather, have broadly reverted to the side that trounced Munster in Belfast on 2 January.
Into Richie Murphy’s starting XV, however, come lock Harry Sheridan, back row Dave McCann, and wing Rob Baloucoune, who replace Joe Hopes, Cormac Izuchukwu and Werner Kok respectively.
Paul Gustard’s Stade have named a significantly weakened side ahead of next weekend’s Top 14 trip to Bordeaux, who sit behind them in fourth place in the league table only on points difference.
The Parisians’ starting front row will consist of an American, a Spaniard and Georgian, with backups Jack Iscaro, Alvaro Garcia Albo and Giorgi Melikidze all getting the nod.
First-team lock Jacques Botha is partnered in the second row by 19-year-old Pierre-Henri Azagoh, while Mathieu Hirigoyen will make his 15th appearance of the season in a heavily shuffled pack.
Experienced South African centre Jeremy Ward, a regular starter, captains the side from 13, with Paul Abadie also named at scrum-half, but the Parisians have significantly rotated their backline which otherwise consists of fringe players and youngsters.
Ulster
15. Jacob Stockdale
14. Robert Baloucoune
13. James Hume
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Zac Ward
10. Jack Murphy
9. Nathan Doak
1. Angus Bell
2. Tom Stewart
3. Tom O’Toole
4. Iain Henderson (Captain)
5. Harry Sheridan
6. Dave McCann
7. Nick Timoney
8. Bryn Ward
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring
17. Eric O’Sullivan
18. Scott Wilson
19. Matt Dalton
20. Sean Reffell
21. Conor McKee
22. Jake Flannery
23. Jude Postlethwaite
Stade Francais
15. Mathis Ibo
14. Charles Laloi
13. Jeremy Ward (Captain)
12. Tani Vili
11. Lester Etien
10. Zack Henry
9. Paul Abadie
1. Jack Iscaro
2. Alvaro Garcia Albo
3. Giorgi Melikidze
4. Pierre-Henri Azagoh
5. Jacques Botha
6. Juan-Martin Scelzo
7. Mathieu Hirigoyen
8. Yoan Tanga
Replacements:
16. Lucas Peyresblanques
17. Yanis Lux
18. Sergo Abramishvili
19. Setareki Turagacoke
20. Tanginoa Halaifonua
21. Thibaut Motassi
22. Louis Foursans-Bourdette
23. Samuel Ezeala
Referee: Adam Leal (England)
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Challenge Cup Rugby