United Rugby Championship: Cell C Sharks v Ulster (Saturday, 12pm, Viaplay Sports 1)
It will be a case of take two for Ulster and the Cell C Sharks this weekend as they finally get the chance to play their rearranged game from round six of the URC.
Back in October the Ulster camp was ravaged by a gastroenteritis bug that forced tournament organisers to postpone the fixture at the last minute.
In the pursuing weeks it wasn’t known if the games could be refixed due to the logistical issues involved, such as a crowded fixture schedule and travel arrangements. The only timeslot that allowed for any re-fixture to take place was on a Six Nations weekend. So now Ulster must make do with fulfilling an already difficult fixture without some of their frontline stars.
For Ulster that means they must do without the services of Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell and Iain Henderson who are all on Six Nations duty with Ireland in Rome.
It certainly weakens Ulster’s hand who must also continue to operate without the talents of Robert Baloucoune and Will Addison.
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) February 24, 2023
Your Ulster team to take on @SharksRugby tomorrow in Durban. pic.twitter.com/nvhWlqvZmK
Back in October with a stronger squad, Ulster were heading to the Shark Tank in buoyant mood after claiming their first win on South African soil. After seeing off the Lions 39-37, Dan McFarland’s side were very much looking forward to locking horns with one of the pre-tournament favourites.
But a first trip to Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban may prove to be less daunting than first anticipated. The Sharks, who currently sit seventh in the URC rankings are down a few front liners themselves.
Springbok stars such as Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi and captain Siya Kolisi are among those not included in Neil Powell’s team selection.
Powell does include Gerbrandt Grobler, Grant Williams and the powerful centre pairing of Rohan Janse Van Rensburg and Francois Venter in what is still a very strong home team.
After missing last week’s defeat to Glasgow, Ulster’s own South African superstar Duane Vermeulen returns to captain the team from Number 8. Nick Timoney and Jordi Murphy make up an experienced back row.
It’s a much-changed line-up from last week’s disappointing showing in Scotstoun. Vermeulen is one of nine changes made by head coach Dan McFarland and his management team as Ulster bid to cling on to third spot in the URC table.
Rory Sutherland, who has again been released by Scotland, will take up position at loose-head with John Andrew coming in for Tom Stewart at hooker.
McFarland has sprung a surprise by naming Harry Sheridan at second row. Sheridan, who has only just broken into the senior set-up, has impressed from blindside flanker, but with Henderson and Treadwell unavailable, McFarland has opted for the Holywood youngster to partner Alan O’Connor in the engine room.
Another big call sees Jerry Flannery named at out-half. Flannery has seen his game time limited since his pre-season move from Munster and he partners the returning John Cooney in what is an all-new half-back pairing.
