Hendy back in for vital Ulster Champions Cup game
Boost for Dan McFarland's side to face Leicester
Iain Henderson will start for Ulster in their crucial Champions Cup clash tomorrow (Saturday) – after recovering from injury earlier than expected.
It is a massive boost for Dan McFarland’s side who will be guaranteed a quarter-finals spot with a win at Leicester.
Henderson is the sole change to the starting line-up – and will make his 100th appearance.
He had been expected to be sidelined for several more weeks after thumb surgery.
Henderson’s international team-mate Rory Best will captain the side from hooker, where he is joined by Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy prop Eric O’Sullivan and Marty Moore in the front row. Sean Reidy, Jordi Murphy and Marcell Coetzee are once again named as the loose forwards.
Behind the pack, David Shanahan, who was a late call-up to the starting team last week, retains his place at scrum-half, with Billy Burns at fly-half. Stuart McCloskey and Will Addison are also retained in the midfield.
Jacob Stockdale and Academy prospect Robert Baloucoune, who jointly contributed Ulster’s three tries last week, continue on the wings, with Louis Ludik completing the back three.
On the bench, Rob Herring, Andy Warwick and Ross Kane will cover the front row, with Alan O’Connor and Nick Timoney named as the additional forward options. John Cooney, Michael Lowry and Darren Cave are selected as the backline reinforcements.
Ulster team to play Leicester Tigers, Heineken Champions Cup, Saturday 19th January, Welford Road (3.15pm):
(15-9): L Ludik; R Baloucoune, W Addison, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; B Burns, D Shanahan;
(1-8): E O’Sullivan, R Best (captain), M Moore, I Henderson, K Treadwell, S Reidy, J Murphy, M Coetzee;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, A Warwick, R Kane, A O’Connor, N Timoney, J Cooney, M Lowry, D Cave.