Bowe ready for second coming
Rugby - Pro12 team news:Tommy Bowe’s second coming for Ulster will officially start tomorrow night when the Ireland winger lines out for the province against Cardiff at the Arms Park. Bowe, who re-joined Ulster from the Ospreys during the summer, has been named on the right wing by coach Mark Anscombe.
Bowe, who spent three years with the Ospreys, missed the start of the season through injury but comes straight into the side with Andrew Trimble shifting to the left flank. In all, Anscombe has made five changes from the side that defeated Munster a fortnight ago – Ulster did not play last weekend due to the tragic death of Nevin Spence – but match winner Jared Payne is retained at fullback.
Ulster captain Johann Muller misses out through injury with Ireland’s Dan Tuohy making his first start of the campaign in a new-look secondrow partnership alongside Neil McComb. Fellow international Chris Henry will also play for the first time this season and will captain the side from openside flanker in the absence of Muller.
Iain Henderson, who took part in Ireland’s training camp in Co Kildare earlier this week, comes into the back row in place of Stephen Ferris.
In Leinster, Rob Kearney has now completed his pre-season training programme and will be pressed straight into action against Connacht tomorrow night. Kearney, who skipped the Ireland get together at Carton House, is named a fullback for the trip west.
Gordon D’Arcy has overcome the injury that forced him off against Edinburgh last Saturday and will join Brendan Macken in the centre while Ian Madigan comes into the side in place at outhalf with Jonathan Sexton making way.
Ulster(v Cardiff, 7.05pm): J Payne; T Bowe, M Allen, D Cave, A Trimble; P Jackson, P Marshall; T Court, N Brady, J Afoa; N McComb, D Tuohy; I Henderson, C Henry (c), N Williams. Replacements:R Herring, C Black, A Macklin, L Stevenson , M McComish, M Heaney, P Wallace, C Gilroy.
Leinster(v Connacht, 8pm): R Kearney; F McFadden, B Macken, G D’Arcy, I Nacewa; I Madigan, J Cooney; H van der Merwe, T Sexton, J Hagan; Q Roux, T Denton; B Marshall, S Jennings (c), L Auva’a. Replacements:S Cronin, C Healy, M Ross, D Toner, J Murphy, L McGrath, N Reid, F Carr
