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Exiting Springbok star Marcell Coetzee benched by Ulster

Marcell Coetzee has signed for the Bulls/.

Springbok back row bruiser Marcell Coetzee has found himself in a usual position: he’s been benched by Ulster. According to the Belfast Telegraph, this will be the first time that Coetzee has ever started on the bench for Ulster since joining in 2016.

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Ulster take on Munster at the Kingspan this evening and not having the talismanic South African in the starting fifteen might normally be a bit of a head-scratcher, if it weren’t for the events of the last week or so.

It was revealed on Christmas Eve that the Bulls had secured his signature and the big Bok will now return to his native lands. Whether head coach Dan McFarland is preparing for life after Coetzee is unclear, as the forward had missed the side’s last two matches due to injury.

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The starting Ulster XV sees ten changes to the side that defeated Connacht last Sunday. Jacob Stockdale returns to assume the full-back role and will be joined on the wings by Ethan McIlroy and Matt Faddes. Stuart McCloskey comes in to partner James Hume in midfield. Billy Burns and John Cooney return to make up the half-back pairing this week.

In the front row, Eric O’Sullivan and Marty Moore will pack down at loosehead and tighthead prop, with Rob Herring at hooker. Sam Carter will captain the Ulster men from the second row, and will pair up with Kieran Treadwell. Academy back-row, David McCann will make his first senior start for Ulster at openside flanker, and will be joined by Matty Rea at blindside and Nick Timoney at No.8.

Ulster Academy loosehead, Callum Reid could make his senior debut if called upon, and is named alongside Adam McBurney, Tom O’Toole and David O’Connor in the forward replacements. Reid’s Academy colleague, scrum-half Nathan Doak could also make his debut from the bench – he is named with Ian Madigan and last week’s debutant, Ben Moxham, in the back line reinforcements.

Ulster team to play Munster:
Jacob Stockdale
Matt Faddes
James Hume
Stuart McCloskey
Ethan McIlroy
Billy Burns
John Cooney
Eric O’Sullivan
Rob Herring
Marty Moore
Kieran Treadwell
Sam Carter (Capt.)
Matty Rea
David McCann
Nick Timoney.

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Replacements: Adam McBurney, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, David O’Connor, Marcell Coetzee, Nathan Doak, Ian Madigan, Ben Moxham.

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Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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