Ulster have made a shock call by omitting an in-form South African for the EPCR Challenge Cup final against Montpellier in Bilbao on Friday night.
Right wing Werner Kok has been dropped from the match 23 altogether.
Kok makes way for Ireland wing Robert Baloucoune, who makes his first start for Ulster following an injury sustained in the Six Natons match against Scotland in March.
Kok, whose contract has not been renewed beyond this season, has been in fine form of late, scoring a hat-trick in the thrilling 38-38 draw against the Stormers in the Vodacom URC.
He also started Ulster’s final game of the regular URC season, a 26-22 loss to the Glasgow Warriors, a result which saw the Irish side narrowly miss out on the playoffs.
MORE: Three key Challenge Cup final head-to-head battles
However, powerhouse South African No 8 Juarno Augustus does start, forming a potent back row with David McCann and captain and Ireland international Nick Timoney.
In the front row, Wallabies loosehead prop Angus Bell starts alongside Ireland hooker Tom Stewart and tighthead prop Tom O’Toole.
Harry Sheridan and Irish international Cormac Izuchukwu complete the pack.
Scrumhalf Nathan Doak starts alongside Jack Murphy at flyhalf, with Jude Postlethwaite and James Hume in midfield.
In the back three, top try-scorer Zac Ward is on the left wing, with Baloucoune on the right and Michael Lowry at fullback.
ULSTER – 15 Mike Lowry, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 James Hume, 12 Jude Postlethwaite, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Nick Timoney (c), 6 Dave McCann, 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 4 Harry Sheridan, 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Angus Bell.
Bench: 16 James McCormick, 17 Eric O’Sullivan, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Charlie Irvine, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Ethan McIlroy.
MONTPELLIER – 15 Tom Banks, 14 Gabriel N’Gandebe, 13 Arthur Vincent, 12 Auguste Cadot, 11 Donovan Taofifenua, 10 Domingo Miotti, 9 Ali Price, 8 Billy Vunipola (c), 7 Alex Becognee, 6 Lenni Nouchi, 5 Tyler DuGuid, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Mohamed Haouas, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Enzo Forletta.
Bench: 16 Lyam Akrab, 17 Baptiste Erdocio, 18 Wilfrid Hounkpatin, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Marco Tauleigne, 21 Leo Coly, 22 Thomas Darmon, 23 Jon Echegaray.
The post Ulster drop Saffa star for Challenge Cup final appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Ulster have made a shock call by omitting an in-form South African for the EPCR Challenge Cup final against Montpellier in Bilbao on Friday night.
The post Ulster drop Saffa star for Challenge Cup final appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
