Ulster Team Talk Thread IV... Go On My Henderson...

The Ulster Rugby Performance Medicine Team have issued a squad update ahead of the province's BKT United Rugby Championship Round 7 fixture v Leinster Rugby this Friday.

Zac Ward sustained a concussion playing for the Ulster 'A' team against Connacht Eagles last Friday.

He will now follow the World Rugby Graduated Return to play protocols and is unavailable for selection this week.

Ben Moxham (hamstring) was injured in the same game and his fitness for selection will be monitored during training ahead of the fixture against Leinster this Friday.

Other players currently unavailable for selection are: Robert Baloucoune (calf), Jake Flannery (ankle), James Hume (knee), Callum Reid (knee), Ethan McIlroy (ankle), Sean Reffell (ankle), Jacob Stockdale (hamstring).

Tom Stewart (ankle) and Stewart Moore (sterno-clavicular joint) have both reintegrated into full team training following their recent injuries and are available for selection.

Nick Timoney has been released from Ireland duty and is also available for selection.

Fairly thin on the backs. Moore in @ 15, Lowry and Kok on the wings, Postlethwaite and Carson in centre.

Or Lowry @ 15, Sexton on wing (or Ward if he's recovered), and Moore and Postlethwaite at centre.

He looks the part alright, sounds like he has had a few injuries though and clearly we need strengthened in one or two positions before No.8. That said he does seem a good player and is also a good age as well.

Game didn't come naturally to him at all, even in the 'A' games I saw he looked a little lost. Hope it goes well for him but although the NFL sometimes allows for pure athletes to thrive better than in rugby, it often requires quicker game-processing.

Any word on any of the Academy wings making the step up?

Isn't he only just back from a long-term injury?

Ulster v Leinster, Friday 29th November, 7.35pm, Kingspan Stadium, BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 7 (Live on BBC Sport NI, Premier Sports, RTE Player, URC.tv)

(15-9) Stewart Moore, Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Michael Lowry, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;

(1-8) Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, Scott Wilson, Alan O'Connor (C), Kieran Treadwell, James McNabney, Nick Timoney, David McCann.

Replacements:

16 Tom Stewart, 17 Andrew Warwick, 18 Corrie Barrett, 19 Harry Sheridan, 20 Marcus Rea, 21 John Cooney, 22 James Humphreys, 23 Ben Moxham.

Interesting to see Doak start ahead of Cooney - presumably so that we can have a bit of a push off the bench with him, Stewart and Sheridan.

Glad to see Humphreys trusted rather than Doak/Lowry moving to 10.

The Ireland u18 training squad that was announced recently had a fair few Ulster forwards as well

Is Soper in charge of the attack? Ulster have no shape whatsoever in phase play, very reliant on close range tries.

He scored two tries yesterday for the As. With Moxham sadly looking like a long term injury plus all the other injuries he might well get a shot sooner rather than later.

That's the key isn't it. Physicality. Doesn't matter how talented you are, you need that extra toughness. Hopefully he has it and we can look forward to seeing him get a shot soon.

Exactly. Look at Louis Bielle-Biarry for France and Kolbe for SA - yes they have speed in abundance, however they are small and slight but it doesn't matter because the physical side of the game doesn't phase them.

Kenny was super for the A’s v Munster. Real impact on the game.

Munster A 7 was good also whoever he was.