Ulster name side to face Glasgow
Rugby team news:Just four of the Ulster side that started their last competitive fixture, the Heineken Cup final defeat to Leinster last May, will line out for the province when Mark Anscombe’s side start their campaign against Glasgow tomorrow night (7.05pm).
The new coach will blood a number of newcomers at Ravenhill while he is still without a number of his frontliners who will be eased into the new season next month. Johann Muller will skipper the side and will be joined by John Afoa, Craig Gilroy and Paddy Jackson, who all played at Twickenham.
There is also plenty of experience on the bench, where Tom Court, Declan Fitzpatrick, Paul Marshall and Darren Cave will expect to play some part. Sean Doyle, Nick Williams, Rob Herring and Michael Heaney make their competitive debuts.
With a relatively inexperienced hand at his disposal, Anscombe is expecting a stern challenge from the visitors. “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 line-up 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.”
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, 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.
