Ulster change four for huge Clermont clash

David Skippers

Ulster's Sean Reidy (centre) is tackled by Bath Rugby's Zach Mercer (left) and Christian Judge during the Pool Three match of the Heineken Champions Cup at the Recreation Ground, Bath

Ulster have made four changes to the starting side that defeated Bath last Saturday at the Recreation Ground in the opening round of the Champions Cup.

There is one alteration in the back three to face Clermont Auvergne with Louis Ludik coming in on the right wing, joining Will Addison at full-back and Jacob Stockdale on the left wing.

Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall will again make up the midfield pairing, while Billy Burns, who has recently signed a two-year contract extension, and John Cooney form the half-back partnership for the 21st time together.

The three remaining changes are in the pack. In the front-row, Eric O’Sullivan returns to the starting loosehead position alongside Rob Herring at hooker and Marty Moore at tighthead prop. Alan O’Connor comes in to start in the second-row with Iain Henderson, who will lead out Ulster at Kingspan Stadium for the first time since being named club captain.

In the back-row, Sean Reidy makes his return to the starting team at blindside flanker and will be joined by Jordi Murphy at openside and Marcell Coetzee making his fifth start this season at number eight.

Adam McBurney, Kyle McCall, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell and Nick Timoney are the forwards back-up from the bench. The backline reinforcements include David Shanahan, who is set to make his 50th appearance for Ulster if called upon, Bill Johnston and Craig Gilroy.

Meanwhile, Clermont have altered their half-back partnership with Jake McIntyre and Greig Laidlaw coming in for Camille Lopez and Morgan Parra respectively.

In the pack, Arthur Iturria returns, joining the outstanding Fritz Lee and Peceli Yato in the back-row, but that is the only change in the forwards.

On the bench, Lucas Dessaigne is named among the replacements to complete a powerful 23-man squad.

The teams:

Ulster: 15 Will Addison, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Billy Burns, 9 John Cooney, 8 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 Sean Reidy, 5 Iain Henderson (c), 4 Alan O’Connor, 3 Marty Moore, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Eric O’Sullivan
Replacements: 16 Adam McBurney, 17 Kyle McCall, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Nick Timoney, 21 David Shanahan, 22 Bill Johnston, 23 Craig Gilroy

Clermont Auvergne: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 George Moala, 11 Alivereti Raka, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Fritz Lee (c), 7 Arthur Iturria, 6 Peceli Yato, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Paul Jedrasiak, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 John Ulugia, 1 Etienne Falgoux
Replacements: 16 Mike Tadjer, 17 Loni Uhila, 18 Davit Zirakashvili, 19 Thibault Lanen, 20 Lucas Dessaigne, 21 Morgan Parra, 22 Camille Lopez, 23 Apisai Naqalevu

Date: Friday, November 22
Venue: Kingspan Stadium
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistant referees: Anthony Woodthorpe (England), Simon McConnell (England)
TMO: Trevor Fisher (England)

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Champions Cup