Preview: Ulster v Connacht

Preview: Ulster v Connacht

An action-packed Friday night in the PRO14 sees Connacht travel to Kingspan Stadium to face Ulster.

Ulster enjoyed a promising start to the season going undefeated in their opening 4 games (3wins, 1 draw) before they were subjected to their biggest ever defeat last weekend. 

The home side will be desperate to get back to winning ways against Connacht, who went down to Leinster in round 5.

Quick Stat


Connacht last tasted victory in Belfast in November 1960.

Team News 


Ulster have been boosted by the return of Irish Internationals Rory Best and Jacob Stockdale who will both make their first appearances of the season.

Springbok loose forward Marcell Coetzee has also returned from a shoulder injury and will pack down at number 8.

Connacht captain Jarrad Butler has returned from injury to take his place in the starting line up.

Academy player Paul Boyle also comes into the back row where he is named at number 8.

There is one change in the front row as Tom McCartney starts at hooker in place of the injured Dave Heffernan who captained the team against Leinster.

Matt Healy’s return from injury on the wing sees him included in a back three that includes Niyi Adeolokun on the opposite wing and Tiernan O’Halloran at full back.

Line-Ups

Stat leaders

Jack Carty (49) and John Cooney (44) top the point scoring charts for their respective sides and only trail Sam Davies and Gareth Anscombe in the competition.

Niyi Adeolokun is the joint top try scorer with three tries. 

Only Dragons' Jordan Williams has gained more metres than Craig Gilroy (381), while the Ulster man has also beaten 19 defenders - the third highest total so far this season.

Two Ulster players feature in the top 5 carries in the competition, Marcell Coetzee (60), Stuart McCloskey (58) while Connacht's features in fifth place Tiernan O'Halloran (58). 

See more stats ahead of the clash HERE



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