Surely will get called:

Tom O'Toole, Timoney (apperantly list as an option to cover hooker on the official teamsheets), Stewart, Izuchukwu, McCloskey, Baloucoune, Stockdale, Doak

Maybe get called:

McCann- has been be playing great but keeps getting over looked, if not now can't seeing it happening in the world cup cycle
Benson - has been good for Ulster out of postion, has was training with Ireland over the summer
Murphy -  not playing his best, but the 3rd out half place it up for grabs with Crowley And Byrne injured, but hes up against O’Shea, Casper ( out side chance of Carbery) and even Benson
Bryn Ward - depends on how far of he is from injury, also lots of competition in the back row 

HE LIONS RUGBY club has confirmed the death of player Hyron Andrews while on tour ahead of their Champions Cup game against La Rochelle.

The former Sharks and Sale Sharks lock from South Africa, aged 31, was described by the club as “a valued member of the Lions family”.

The Lions said they will fulfil Saturday’s fixture against La Rochelle as scheduled “in honour of Hyron”.  

Andrews was found dead at a hotel in France, local authorities told AFP. A source close to the investigation said he was found in cardiac arrest inside a shower cubicle that was locked from the inside.

The public prosecutor in La Rochelle confirmed that an investigation had been opened to determine the cause of death and said that an accidental death was currently the leading line of inquiry.

An autopsy is due to be carried out, a source close to the investigation said.

Heartbroken

The club said in a statement: “His loss will be felt profoundly by his teammates, coaches, supporters and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

“Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences go to Hyron’s wife, Maiglin, their young sons, and the entire Andrews family. We hold them in our thoughts during this time of unimaginable grief and ask that their privacy be respected as they mourn.”

Rudolf Straeuli, chief executive of the Lions said: “We are heartbroken by the passing of Hyron. He was not only a gifted rugby player, but also a cherished member of our Lions family having recently joined us this season.

“I extend our deepest sympathies to Maiglin, their young sons Hendrix and Emerson and the entire Andrews family. We stand with them in their sorrow and will remember Hyron with great affection and respect.” 

Springboks

Andrews, who was born in Paarl and attended Hoërskool Garsfontein in Pretoria, represented the Junior Springboks in 2015.

“This is terrible and distressing news; our hearts go out to Hyron’s family and the whole Lions rugby community,” said Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union.

“There are no words to adequately convey our shock and the depth of sympathy we feel for his wife Maighlin, and for his extended family, friends, teammates and loved ones during this time of immense sorrow.

“Hyron was a respected member of the rugby community whose contribution to the game and impact on those around him will be remembered with great fondness.

“His untimely passing is a devastating loss, and we share in the grief of all who knew and loved him.

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire South African rugby family are with Maighlin and all those mourning his loss. May they find strength, comfort and peace in the memories they shared with him and in the support of those around them.”

The tragedy comes exactly 10 years to the day since the sudden death of former Munster coach Anthony Foley, who died in his sleep aged 42 due to a heart rhythm disorder just hours before his team were due to play against Racing 92 in Paris in the same competition.

South African rugby player Hyron Andrews found dead in France ahead of Champions Cup match

horrendous news, and on Foley 10 year anniversary

RIP 

Prop, Eduardo Bello, sustained a hamstring injury in training and is a doubt for this week's fixture. 

Eli Snyman (concussion) was injured in Saturday's URC Round 3 draw with Munster and will now follow World Rugby Return to Play Protocols.

Ben Donnell, Ethan McIlroy and Tom Stewart all picked up knocks in Saturday's game and their fitness for selection will be assessed through training this week. 

Michael Lowry has returned to full team training following his recent concussion injury. 

In the preshow interviews Herring said he was a few weeks away ( I think)

Looks like this game is not been shown on Premier sport,  epcr website says "epcrugby.tv / beIN SPORTS / FloRugby"

I think the only legal way to watch the game is via epcrugby and buy a one match pass at €7.99.  Commentary is only in Italian 

Bryn Ward sustained a knee injury in Saturday's URC round 2 draw with Glasgow Warriors. He will be unavailable for selection this week.

Matthew Devine (shoulder) also picked up an injury against Glasgow Warriors and his fitness for selection will be assessed this week. 

Jacob Stockdale (hip), Scott Wilson (ankle) and Robert Baloucoune (concussion) have resumed full team training after their respective injuries.

good to have those 3 back, I wonder how serious Wards injury is.  

Surly we go strong for this game?  (I'm bringing my to this one, its his 3rd Ulster game,  the first 2 they lost, so really need a win this time!)

Michael Lowry (concussion), Robert Baloucoune (concussion) and Aitzol Arenzana-King (knee) picked up injuries in Friday's URC Round 1 defeat to Edinburgh and are unavailable this week.

No word on anyone returning from injury, as a reminder before the Ospays friendly the list was:

Stewart Moore (knee), Ethan McIlroy (knee), Scott Wilson (ankle), Sam Crean (foot), Keynan Knox (ankle), Iain Henderson (hip), Juarno Augustus (ankle), Charlie Irvine (knee), Jude Postlethwaite (knee), Callum Reid (foot), Bryn Ward (shoulder).

they also said the before the Edinburgh games that Augustus has returned to training ( and hume got a hamstring injury in training), so you would assume that he's available now. 

So it looks like Carson and Benson in the centre again, that leaves for the back 3 only Stockdale, Mullins, Zac and Flannery as options.

At this stage I would be happy with a losing bonus point and no injuries from this game and hope by the 10th we have a few more back from injury and more of our international back against Munster

Join ulsterrugbyforum.com, my United Rugby Championship Predictor league on Superbru! You can find my pool here:

https://www.superbru.com/urc_predictor/pool.php?p=13361319

or by downloading the Superbru Rugby app from https://www.superbru.com/get-superbru-rugby and searching for the league with code:

ECBM7227

Just for a bit of fun, I have been playing for a few years now

2. James McCormick 

3. Eduardo Bello

4. Ben Donnell

5. Eli Snyman

6. David McCann

7. Martin Moloney

8. James McNabney

9. Matthew Devine 

10. Jack Murphy

11. Aitzol Arenzana-King

12. Jamie Benson

13. James Hume

14. Chay Mullins

15. Michael Lowry (C)

Replacements:

Tom McAllister, Henry Walker, Flynn Longstaff, Harry Sheridan, Joe Hopes, James McKillop, Tom Brigg, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Daniel Hawkshaw, Ben Carson. 

Really £7.50 to steam a preseason friendly?

I thought EOS played well in the last game,  hopefully that continues.  Benson in the center this time, interesting.  McNabney has some nice carries against Edinburgh, nice to see him start.  King looked good, nice to see what he could do again. 

I hoping the rust has been shaken off and we see a more complete performance,  better line outs and less penalties in defence.  last week we had  a good attack and a  decent scrum, but we are still making too many mistakes,  Edinburgh were not great,  after our first game in the urc we have a hard enough run of games, we need to start the season running,  to ensure a top 8 ( top 4?) finish.