ANDREW TRIMBLE WILL look to put his Rugby World Cup disappointment behind him when he lines out in Ulster’s Pro12 opener against Ospreys
The wing will make first competitive appearance for the province since last October at the Kingspan Stadium tomorrow night (7.35pm).
Craig Gilroy and Louis Ludik complete the back three with Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall named in an exciting midfield partnership, while 22-year-old Peter Nelson makes his first start at out-half.
Meanwhile, Connacht are set to hand academy centre Rory Parata his Pro12 debut when they host the Newport Gwent Dragons (Friday, 7.30pm).
Flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua wins his first cap while former Leinster lock Ben Marshall is named among the replacements.
Ulster (v Ospreys)
15. Louis Ludik
14. Andrew Trimble
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Craig Gilroy
10. Peter Nelson
9. Paul Marshall
1. Andrew Warwick
2. Rob Herring (captain)
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Dan Tuohy
5. Franco Van der Merwe
6. Roger Wilson
7. Willie Faloon
8. Nick Williams
Replacements:
16. John Andrew
17. Ricky Lutton
18. Bronson Ross
19. Peter Browne
20. Clive Ross
21. Sean Reidy
22. David Shanahan
23. Sam Arnold
Connacht (v Dragons)
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Danie Poolman
13. Rory Parata
12. Bundee Aki
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Quinn Roux
5. Andrew Browne
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Nepia Fox-Matamua
8. Eoghan Masterson
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. JP Cooney
18. Finlay Bealham,
19. Ben Marshall
20. Eoin McKeon
21. John Cooney
22. Craig Ronaldson
23. Fionn Carr
Replace one warrior with another. Good.
@Chris Mc: Seanie will right a few things ahead of next season.
@Chris Mc: I’m sure you remember this quote from the 2017 Lions tour: Phil Gifford, from Stuff, who was critical of the Lions style of play in general, referred to Sean O’Brien as “a flanker so tough and hard-edged he’s basically a roll of barbed wire in boots.” Great move by Leinster.
Great signing a great bit of business
No need to clean the toilets in cassidys
@Tony Mcgrath: bit of an insulting remark from a Munster supporter. Check your own coaches for a similar problem.
He might play a few games even. Would love to see it
I thought he was taking the pee ;)
@CAMILA REMONA: bad news for the Dublin homeless
Good project that hopefully works out
Seamus replacing Leamy. I wonder could we persuade Isa to come back and replace Dr. Phil?
RDS busy installing golden showers
Out with the old, in with the new!