Disciplined Ulster can prevail

RUGBY/Ulster v Edinburgh:RUAN PIENAAR touched down in Belfast yesterday and while not involved tonight could be available to make his Ulster debut tomorrow week when Brian McLaughlin's team travel to the Sportsground to play Connacht.

The 26-year-old Springbok is able to play in either halfback position but initially might be considered primarily as a scrumhalf. Paul Marshall wears the number nine jersey against Edinburgh and he’ll be keen to ensure any selection issue isn’t a foregone conclusion.

McLaughlin makes four changes behind the scrum to the team that beat Aironi in Italy. A fit-again Jamie Smith replaces Adam D’Arcy at fullback, USA Eagle Paul Emerick gets a first start on the right wing while Andrew Trimble’s recuperative powers see him return ahead of schedule after surgery on his hand.

Paddy Wallace is rested as part of the IRFU Player Management Programme so Ian Whitten partners Darren Cave at centre. Bryan Young and Andy Kyriacou come into the frontrow while Ryan Caldwell and Stephen Ferris are restored to the back five in the pack. Johann Muller again captains the team. Ulster boast a strong bench that includes Rory Best, BJ Botha, Pedrie Wannenburg and Ian Humphreys.

There are two changes to the Edinburgh team that lost to Munster at home in their last outing with Craig Hamilton replacing the injured Esteban Lozada in the secondrow and Roddy Grant named at openside flanker from where he’ll lead the team.

The Scottish side lost both of their opening fixtures but coach Rob Moffat preferred to dwell on the fact his side won on their last visit to Ravenhill. “There’s a real determination to give a more complete performance than we have in the first two matches,” he said.

In narrowly beating the Ospreys (home) and Aironi (away) Ulster have shown mental resilience to complement playing qualities and should be confident of extending that run of success. The pack possesses the power and the athleticism to provide a platform for a strong running three-quarter line.

Niall O’Connor has been in good form with the boot; although on that note Ulster will be well aware of the folly of giving away penalties with Chris Paterson is at fullback for Edinburgh. Provided they keep their discipline Ulster should be good enough to prevail.

ULSTER: J Smith; P Emerick, D Cave, I Whitten, A Trimble; N O’Connor, P Marshall; B Young, A Kyriacou, T Court; J Muller (capt), R Caldwell; S Ferris, C Henry, R Diack. Replacements: R Best, P McAllister, BJ Botha, T Barker, P Wannenburg, I Porter, I Humphreys, D McIlwaine.

EDINBURGH: C Paterson; M Robertson, B Cairns, A Grove, T Visser; P Godman, M Blair; A Jacobsen, R Ford, G Cross; S McLeod, C Hamilton; S Newlands, R Grant (capt), N Talei. Replacements: A Kelly, K Traynor, J Gilding, S McInally, D Denton, G Laidlaw, D Blair, J Houston.

Referee: A Falzone (Italy).

Last time out: At Murrayfield (April 2010) – Ulster 37 Edinburgh 25.

Leading points scorers: Ulster – Niall O’Connor 34. Edinburgh – Chris Paterson 21.

Leading try scorers: Ulster – Stephen Ferris, Darren Cave, Robbie Diack 1 each. Edinburgh – Tim Visser 3.

Verdict: Ulster to win.