Match Preview: Ulster Rugby Vs Cardiff Rugby

A changed front row from last week’s EPCR Challenge Cup game in Clermont sees Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart and Scott Wilson get the nodand Taulupe Faletau returns from injury to be named in Cardiff Rugby starting XV.

Ulster v Cardiff Rugby

Kingspan Stadium, Belfast – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 79th league game)

AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Sam Holt (IRFU)

TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)

Live on: BBC NI, Premier Sports, BBC Wales, TG4, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Ulster: Will Addison, Mike Lowry, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Jake Flannery, Nathan Doak, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Alan O’Connor (CAPT), Dave Ewers, Marcus Rea, Dave McCann

Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Cormac Izuchukwu, Greg Jones, John Cooney, Billy Burns, Ethan McIlroy

Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett, Josh Adams, Mason Grady, Ben Thomas, Theo Cabango, Tinus de Beer, Ellis Bevan, Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher (CAPT), Keiron Assiratti, Ben Donnell, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau

Replacements: Rhys Carré, Evan Lloyd, Ciaran Parker, Rory Thornton, Ellis Jenkins, Gonzalo Bertranou, Jacob Beetham

Ulster Forwards Coach Roddy Grant said: “The table is really tight at this stage of the league, and you can never predict results. We know our game against Cardiff in front of our supporters at Kingspan Stadium is a very important game, and we’re ready for the challenge that it’s set to bring.”

Cardiff Rugby Head Coach Matt Sherratt said: “We come to Belfast on the back of two very good away performances against Glasgow and Munster, but now is the time to turn one point into four. Ulster is a difficult place to come, and have a strong pack, but we’ve had some time off to recover and recuperate and then trained and prepared really well for the game. There is no reason why with this group, and the performances we have already put in on the road this season we can’t put in another good account of ourselves and turn a good performance into a win.”