Four new boys in Ulster line-up for Glasgow clash
Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has handed competitive debuts to Sean Doyle, Nick Williams, Rob Herring and Michael Heaney for Friday evening’s RaboDirect PRO12 encounter against Glasgow at Ravenhill (7.05pm).
Doyle and Williams will be joined in the back row by Robbie Diack, while Johann Muller continues as skipper in the engine room alongside Lewis Stevenson.
In the front row, Irish qualified South African hooker Herring is joined by props Callum Black and John Afoa. Should replacement forward Tom Court come off the bench at any stage during the game it will mark the prop’s 100th appearance for the Province.
Behind the scrum, Heaney will start at scrumhalf where he is partnered by former Methodist College schoolmate Paddy Jackson at halfback. Luke Marshall and Chris Farrell will form an all new centre partnership in what is a youthful backline.
Right wing Michael Allen will make only his second ever appearance for the Province, while Craig Gilroy will play on the other flank.
The back three is completed by fullback Jared Payne who will play his first RaboDirect PRO12 game since he ruptured his Achilles tendon against Cardiff just over 11 months ago.
Included on the bench are Ireland squad members Court, Declan Fitzpatrick, Paul Marshall and Darren Cave.
Anscombe, taking charge of his first competitive game with Ulster, is expecting a tough challenge from the travelling Scots.
“They have named a strong side as we expected and they will provide a formidable test,” he said.
“They have brought a few Internationals into the starting lineup and have another couple on the bench.
“We have a strong bench too but we will see how the game pans out. Our Internationals on the bench haven’t played much rugby or had much contact but if we need to use them we will.
“I’m really excited about this game, hopefully we can start the season off with a good win,” concluded Anscombe.
Ulster (v Glasgow Warriors): J Payne; M Allen, C Farrell, L Marshall, C Gilroy; P Jackson, M Heaney; C Black, R Herring, J Afoa, J Muller (c), L Stevenson, R Diack, S Doyle, N Williams.
Replacements: N Brady, T Court, D Fitzpatrick, N McComb, M McComish, P Marshall, N O’Connor, D Cave.
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