It’s been a turbulent week for the province with the news on Tuesday morning that Mark McCall had resigned as Head Coach after three and a half years in charge. Assistant Coach Steve Williams has assumed the reins in the interim while Ulster Rugby begin a search for McCall’s successor and there’s been little time for the players or management team to dwell on the situation as the squad prepare for the challenge that lies ahead for them at the Stade Pierre Rajon this Friday evening, aiming to record a first win on French soil and keep their Heineken Cup campaign on track.

Williams has today announced his team to take on Bourgoin and the side sees several changes from the team that was defeated by Gloucester at Ravenhill on Friday night.

There are two new faces to the starting line up with fans favourite Paul Steinmtez named at inside centre following a return from a head injury that has ruled him out of action for the last two months and when the New Zealander runs out on Friday night it will be his 25th Heineken Cup appearance. Steinmetz’s inclusion has meant that Scottish centre Rob Dewey has dropped to the bench. Steve Williams said this of Paul’s inclusion:

“Steinmetz’s inclusion in the squad is a real boost, Paul is a very creative and organised player who has been training well these last few weeks, he is clearly a top quality rugby player and he is raring to get on the pitch.

Simon Danielli also returns to the fold following a few weeks playing for his club Malone, the speedy Scottish winger replaces Mark McCrea on the left wing to win his fifth cap for his new club, McCrea has been omitted from the squad. Mark Bartholomeusz replaces Bryn Cunningham in the full backs position, the change sees Cunningham drop from the squad.

The half back partnership remains the same with Wallace and Boss starting, David Humphreys drops from the squad with a recurrence of the ankle injury that has plagued him this season, and his place on the bench is taken by Academy player Niall O’Connor.

The front row remains unchanged from last weekend however the second row sees Matt McCullough return to partner former Bourgoin player Carlo Del Fava with Ryan Caldwell acting as cover on the bench (and Justin Harrison dropping from the squad.)  Kieron Dawson returns to the startling line up and will be alongside Neil Best and Roger Wilson in the back row with David Pollock acting as cover on the bench.

Ulster Caretaker Coach Steve Williams this morning acknowledged what a difficult few days it has been for everyone involved at Ulster Rugby when he said:

“It has been a tough week for everyone at Ulster, people are very upset about what has happened and really there is no point in pretending that we aren’t. But, we have a game coming up at the weekend no matter what has happened. We are all in the process of getting over the news, but one eye this week is always going to be on Friday night and we have to keep going on.”

“Obviously we are not on top form and almost at the point where we have to try new things. It is important that we do not go into our shell this weekend and we are as constructive as possible.”

“Bourgoin have an impressive pack, they are very typically French, they have big direct centres and straight  hard running wingers with bags of pace. We are well aware of the challenge we face on Friday night and we intend to hit them head on.”

Ulster Team: (15-9) M Bartholomeusz; T Bowe, A Trimble, P Steinmetz, S Danielli; P Wallace, I Boss; (1-8) J Fitzpatrick, R Best (Capt), B Young, M McCullough, C Del Fava, N Best, K Dawson, R Wilson

Replacements: (16-22) N Brady, D Fitzpatrick, R Caldwell, D Pollock, K Campbell, N O’Connor, R Dewey

Bourgoin Team: F Denos; D Janin, R Coetzee, Y David, J Coux; B Boyet, M Parra; A Tchougong, B Cabello, O Sourgens, D Fevre, B Williams, J Frier (capt), A Petrilli, M Rennie.

Replacements: J Genevois, P Cardinali, C Wyatt, Y Labrit, M Forest, S Laloo, M Nicolas.

The game is live on Sky on Friday night but is interactive so you will need to press the Red Button to watch the game.