Ireland fullback Rob Kearney will get his chance to stake a claim for a starting berth in the Heineken Cup final against Leinster after returning to the squad ahead of Saturday’s final Magners League game of the season against the Dragons at Rodney Parade (5.30pm).
Kearney was enjoying an excellents season before a bout of the mumps sidelined him for a number of weeks, during which time Isa Nacewa has impressed, most notably in victory over Munster in the European Cup semi-final.
Michael Cheika’s squad shows a healthy mix of experience and youth with established players like Dempsey and Trevor Hogan included, alongside nine academy prospects, one of whom is Clontarf’s Paul O’Donohoe.
The former Ireland under-20 Grand Slam-winning scrumhalf shone in Clontarf’s cruel defeat to Shannon in the AIL Division One final at the weekend and gets some consolation with a call up this weekend.
Sean O'Brien, Stephen Keogh, Devin Toner, Ronan McCormack, Fergus McFadden and John Fogarty are also vying for a place in the travelling squad.
Ulster face the Scarlets for the fourth time this season at at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday (7.30pm), having met the Welsh side twice in the Heineken Cup and once in the league this year.
Its honours even thus far, after Ulster won at home and drew away in the Heineken Cup, though the Welsh side scored a 9-16 win at Ravenhill early in the season.
Sixth-placed Ulster hold a six point lead on Scarlets, but that gap could close by this evening if the Welsh side manage to beat the Blues in Cardiff, which would keep the latter within striking distance of Munster
"It would be nice to beat a Welsh team because we haven't beaten one in Wales all year,” said Matt Williams today. “When we played Scarlets at home in December, we played well and lead for the vast majority of the game, and it was unfortunate to only come away with a draw.
“The Scarlets have to play three games in a week so we should be nice and strong going over there.”
LEINSTER SQUAD
Forwards: Ronan McCormack, Brian Blaney, John Fogarty, Jason Harris-Wright, Jamie Hagan, Stephen Knoop, Trevor Hogan, Devin Toner, Cameron Jowitt, Kevin McLaughlin, Paul Ryan, Sean O'Brien, Stephen Keogh
Backs: Chris Keane, Paul O'Donohoe, Ian Madigan, Ian McKinley, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Kyle Tonetti, Simon Keogh, Niall Morris, David Kearney, Girvan Dempsey
ULSTER SQUAD
Forwards: Rory Best, Brendon Botha, Nigel Brady, Ryan Caldwell, Robbie Diack, Neil Hanna, Carlo Del Fava, Willie Faloon, Declan Fitzpatrick, Justin Fitzpatrick, Stephen Ferris, Chris Henry, Matt McCullough, Ed O'Donoghue, Bryan Young.
Backs: Isaac Boss, Darren Cave, Simon Danielli, Ian Humphreys, Mark McCrea, Timoci Nagusa, Niall O'Connor, Clinton Schifcofske, Ian Whitten, Cillian Willis.
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