Anyway another difficult game this.  All of our Ireland lads are gone and a load of others (happily including the likes of Hume and Herring) are flying out to replace them.

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

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.

Didn't know that this was on Premier Sports 2, something to watch this weekend.

Interesting that Benson starts at 10, (I wonder is Jake now 3rd choice out half/  2nd choice full back now)  I looking forward to seeing what bello can do,  and McNabney is back!

Pool 1

• Toyota Cheetahs
• Ulster Rugby
• USAP
• Dragons RFC
• Aviron Bayonnais
• Zebre Parma

Should be coming out on top of that group, but expect low ticket sales