Anscombe makes wholesale changes for Munster encounter

Mark Anscombe has made eleven changes to the starting XV for Ulster's trip to Thomond Park to face Munster tomorrow (5.30pm).

Anscombe makes wholesale changes for Munster encounter

Mark Anscombe has made eleven changes to the starting XV for Ulster's trip to Thomond Park to face Munster tomorrow (5.30pm).

Only Craig Gilroy and Luke Marshall in the backs, and Neil McComb and Robbie Diack in the forwards, are retained from the team which beat Leinster 27-19 last Friday night.

Despite resting a number of players and having a large contingent involved in an Ireland training camp in Dublin this weekend, Ulster are able to field an all Irish-qualified match day squad.

Adam D'Arcy will make his first start of the season at fullback and will be joined in the back three by speedy youngsters Chris Cochrane and Gilroy.

Michael Allen will partner Luke Marshall in midfield, with Paul Marshall and Niall O'Connor forming a new half back combination.

Up front, Callum Black, Rob Herring and Adam Macklin make up an all new front row, while Lewis Stevenson has returned from an eight week injury lay off to partner McComb in the engine room.

Roger Wilson will captain the team from number 8 and he will be assisted in the back row by Mike McComish and Diack.

There are opportunities on the bench for Academy players Ali Birch, Stuart Olding, Ricky Andrew and Alan O'Connor, who made his debut against his home province last weekend.

Hooker Niall Annett, prop Ricky Lutton and scrumhalf Michael Heaney provide further back up.

Experienced prop Tom Court, who enjoyed a fine Man of the Match performance last weekend, is also named among the replacements.

Ulster (v. Munster): A D'Arcy, C Cochrane, M Allen, L Marshall, C Gilroy; N O'Connor, P Marshall; C Black, R Herring, A Macklin, L Stevenson, N McComb, R Diack, M McComish, R Wilson.

Replacements: N Annett, R Lutton, T Court, A O'Connor, A Birch, M Heaney, S Olding, R Andrew.

more courts articles

Football fan given banning order after mocking Munich air disaster Football fan given banning order after mocking Munich air disaster
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van

More in this section

New Zealand v Ireland - Steinlager Series 2022 Leinster confirm signing of All Black back Jordie Barrett on short-term deal
Aoibheann Reilly, Eve Higgins and Brittany Hogan celebrate after the game 13/4/2024 Women's rugby gets €3.5m cash injection ahead of inaugural Lions tour
Neve Jones is tackled by Abbie Fleming 13/4/2024 Hard work finally clicking for Ireland as biggest Six Nations test looms
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited