British and Irish Lions, Rory Best and Tommy Bowe, have been selected by Ulster Head Coach, Mark Anscombe, for the Province’s RaboDirect PRO12 match against Benetton Treviso at Ravenhill tomorrow night (kick off 19:05).
In total there are 11 Ireland internationals in the starting XV in a side that sees seven personnel changes and three positional switches to the team that beat Connacht in the Sportsground last Saturday.
Craig Gilroy starts at full back and is joined in the back three by Bowe who starts on the right wing and Michael Allen who retains his place on the left flank.
Jared Payne moves from 15 to outside centre where he is partnered by Luke Marshall. Paddy Jackson starts at outhalf, while Paul Marshall replaces Ian Porter at nine.
Captain Rory Best starts at hooker alongside Ricky Lutton and Tom Court in the front row. Iain Henderson keeps his place in the second-row, buts starts at 4, with Dan Tuohy wearing the Number 5 jersey.
In the backrow, Robbie Diack is selected at blindside with Roger Wilson moving to Number 8. Chris Henry keeps his place at openside.
Commenting on his selection, Ulster winger, Tommy Bowe, said: “It is great to be back. It has been a tough old pre-season with my wrist injury but I am delighted to be playing, delighted to be back fit again and looking forward to my first game at Ravenhill with the two new stands up.”
Tickets for the game are still available and can be purchased via www.ulsterrugby.com/tickets. The game will be shown live on BBC Two Northern Ireland.
Ulster XV and replacements to face Benetton Treviso, RaboDirect PRO12, Ravenhill, Friday 27th September (kick off 19:05); (15-9): C Gilroy, T Bowe, J Payne, L Marshall, M Allen, P Jackson, P Marshall; (1-8): T Court, R Best (Captain), R Lutton, I Henderson, D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson; Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, B Ross, L Stevenson, N Williams, M Heaney, J McKinney, D Cave.
