Ulster's finest get chance to impress

DAVID HUMPHREYS, who played very well for Ireland A against Scotland a fortnight ago, gets another chance to impress the national…

DAVID HUMPHREYS, who played very well for Ireland A against Scotland a fortnight ago, gets another chance to impress the national selectors when he plays for Ulster at outhalf against New South Wales at Ravenhill next Tuesday night.

Humphreys, who was unavailable to Ulster for the interprovincial series and the European Cup because of his involvement, with Oxford University (he scored a record number of points for the University in the Varsity match in December), displaces Mark McCall. In a move that will doubtless please the national selectors, Jonathan Bell has been chosen in the centre, the berth he occupies for Ireland. Bell has played at full back for Ulster through out the season. His move to centre means that there is no place for Bill Harbinson, who has captained Ulster this season. Former international Colin Wilkinson is named at full back.

Yet again, the selectors have paired Jeremy Davidson - he played on the blind side flank for Ireland against Scotland - with David Tweed in the second row. Paddy Johns stays at number eight. Denis McBride takes over the captaincy from Harbinson. Ireland A wing and Oxford captain Tyrone Howe was not considered because he is recovering from a knee operation.

All five Ireland selectors will attend the match and the selection of the Ireland side to meet France on Saturday fortnight has been deferred until tomorrow week, so that the selectors can see this game. The selectors will also be present at Lansdowne Road tomorrow night to see Leinster play the Australian provincial side.