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Ulster have been given a big boost with winger Robert Balukown fit enough to start Friday’s European Challenge Cup final against Montpellier.
Balucaun was expected to be out for three months after picking up an elbow injury in Ireland’s Triple Crown-sealing Six Nations win over Scotland in March.
But after returning to training ahead of schedule, the 28-year-old has been selected by head coach Richie Murphy on the right wing as Ulster bid to end a 20-year wait.
Balucown has scored six tries in seven games for Ulster this season, joining Mike Lowry and leading try-scorer Jack Ward in the back three, with Jacob Stockdale already out.
In Stuart McCloskey’s absence, Jude Postlethwaite partners James Hume in midfield, while the first-choice half-back pairing of Jack Murphy and Nathan Dock is reinstated after starting last week’s United Rugby Championship loss to Glasgow on the bench.
In the pack, Angus Bell returned to loose-head prop for his Ulster swansong before returning to Australia, with Tom O’Toole at tight-head. A calf problem for vastly experienced hooker Rob Herring means Tom Stewart completes the front row.
Without suspended captain Ian Henderson, Harry Sheridan partners Cormac Izuchukwu in the second row, while flanker David McCann returns to fitness alongside stand-in captain Nick Timoney and Juarno Augustus in the back row.
Murphy opted for a five-three split on the bench, with James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Charlie Irvine and Bryn Ward providing forward cover and Conor Mackie, Jake Flannery and Ethan McIlroy as backline replacements.
