News
Preview: Ulster v Stade Français
October 10 2008
Ulster coach Matt Williams has made three changes to his starting line-up for the all important Heineken Cup opener against Stade Français at Ravenhill on Saturday.
Ulster recorded their first victory of the season against Edinburgh on Friday, in front of a vocal and passionate Ravenhill crowd.
In the back row David Pollock drops out of the squad entirely with an injury, with former Irish international Kieron Dawson starting at openside flank. Matt McCullough is named as extra back row cover on the bench.
In the backs Paddy Wallace returns to the Ulster fold, following-on from a hamstring injury, which has kept him out of the team for the last number of weeks, Paul Steinmetz is named on the bench.
Cillian Willis is also on the bench, while scrum-half Isaac Boss starts the game. Fijian international Timoci Nagusa also drops out of the squad entirely.
For the visitors, Pumas playmaker Juan Martin Hernandez will start at fly-half while sharp-shooting place-kicker Lionel Beauxis will fill the full-back berth.
South African-born centre Brian Liebenberg, who is returning to the form that saw him gain selection for France at the 2003 World Cup, will play on Hernandez's outside in the number twelve jersey.
IRB player of the year nominee and Italy captain Sergio Parisse has been named at number eight. Argentinean loose-forward Juan Leguizamon has recovered from concussion and will start on the bench. Australian Rugby League convert Marc Gasnier is injured and will not make the trip to northern Ireland.
Form: Stade Français have been the trend setters in France and are run-away leaders, eight points ahead of Toulouse. You can't do better than seven wins from seven games. Ulster, on the other hand, have had a shocking season so far, but finally got a win under their belts last Friday.
Prediction: Stade Français have lost on all four occasions that have visited Ulster. Barring a miracle, the home side's impressive record against the Parisians will come to an end on Saturday. Stade Français to win by ten points
Ulster: 15 Bryn Cunningham, 14 Clinton Schifcofske, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Niall O'Connor, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Keiron Dawson, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 4 Ed O'Donoghue, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Rory Best (C), 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Justin Fitzpatrick, 18 Carlo Del Fava, 19 Matt McCullough, 20 Cillian Willis, 21 Ian Humphreys, 22 Paul Steinmetz
Stade Français: 15 Lionel Beauxis, 14 Julien Arias, 13 Guillaume Bousses, 12 Brian Liebenberg, 11 Julien Saubade, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Noel Oelschig, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Pierre Rabadan, 6 Mauro Bergamasco, 5 Simon Taylor, 4 Arnaud Marchois, 3 David Attoub, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: 16 Mathieu Blin, 17 Sylvain Marconnet, 18 Pierre Vigouroux, 19 Juan Leguizamon, 20 Terry Bouhraoua, 21 Mathieu Bastareaud, 22 Djibril Camara.
Date: Saturday, October 11
Venue: Ravenhill
Kick-off: 15.30 (14.30 GMT)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)