Preview: Ulster v Scarlets

Editor

Matt Williams has named his Ulster starting line-up to take on the Scarlets at Ravenhill on Friday, including a number of returning international players.

Matt Williams has named his Ulster starting line-up to take on the Scarlets at Ravenhill on Friday, including a number of returning international players.

Roger Wilson drops out of the squad with Carlo Del Fava keeping his place having been cleared of foul play from the Italy v Wales Six Nations game.

Rory Best and Paddy Wallace return from International duty to start alongside Ireland A players Niall O'Connor, Isaac Boss, Ryan Caldwell and Stephen Ferris.

Best will wear the captain's armband.

“We want to built on our performance against the Dragons, it was a much needed win but there are still aspects that we want to improve and are working on,” he said.

“I'm really looking forward to getting back out at Ravenhill with Ulster. It's always good to come back after the internationals and settle back in with the faces that you train with every day.

“The whole team are working extremely hard for the match ahead and I'm glad that I can come back to be a part of that.”

Ulster: 15 Mark Bartholomeusz, 14 Simon Danielli, 13 Paul Steinmetz, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Mark McCrea, 10 Niall O'Connor, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Stephen Ferris, 7 Kieran Dawson, 6 Matt McCullough, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 4 Justin Harrison, 3 Tom Court, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Bryan Young,
Replacements: 16 Neil Brady, 17 Justin Fitzpatrick, 18 Carlo Del Fava, 19 Neil Best, 20 Paul Marshall, 21 Darren Cave, 22 Bryn Cunningham.

Scarlets: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 Dafydd James, 13 Regan King, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Nathan Brew, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Nathan Thomas, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 James Bater (c), 5 Lou Reed, 4 Dafydd Jones, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Mo Schwalger, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Phil John, 17 Ken Owens, 18 Dominic Day, 19 Simon Easterby, 20 Alix Popham, 21 Gavin Cattle, 22 Ceiron Thomas.

Date: Friday, February 29
Venue: Ravenhill
Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
Referee: Andrew Macpherson (Scotland)
Touch judges: David Keane (Ireland), Brian MacNeice (Ireland)