Jackson and Paul Marshall named in Ulster squad

Ulster coach Mark Anscombe has named Paddy Jackson and Paul Marshall in an extended squad for Friday night’s RaboDirect Pro12 game against Edinburgh at Murrayfield (7.30pm).

The Ireland pair both played in the defeat to Italy last weekend in Rome, with scrumhalf Marshall winning his first international cap as a late replacement for lock Donnacha Ryan in what must surely be one of Ireland’s most bizarre substitutions.

Iain Henderson and Luke Marshall have not been named in the Ulster squad after both were injured in Rome.

Henderson suffered a foot injury and will be assessed later today, while Luke Marshall sustained concussion and will be monitored over the next seven days.

Anscombe is further boosted by the return of Johann Muller, Nick Williams and Jared Payne from injury.

Meanwhile, Andrew Trimble will remain at Ravenhill until the summer of 2015 after signing a two-year extension to his IRFUcontract.

The 28-year-old Ireland international has made 155 appearances for the province and has scored an Ulster record 50 first-team tries.

He is on track to break his personal record of 10 tries in one campaign, having scored eight tries for Ulster so far this season.

SQUAD - Forwards: Neil McComb, Callum Black, John Afoa, Robbie Diack, Mike McComish, Dan Tuohy, Lewis Stevenson, Johann Muller, Nick Williams, Rob Herring, Niall Annett, Ricky Lutton, Tom Court, Nigel Brady.
Backs: Ricky Andrew, Jared Payne, Michael Allen, Paul Marshall, Peter Nelson, Michael Heaney, Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Darren Cave, Andrew Trimble, Niall O'Connor.