Magners League:ULSTER COACH Matt Williams has named a 23-man squad that includes a host of returning internationals for tomorrow night's game against the Llanelli Scarlets at Ravenhill. National coach Eddie O'Sullivan released those players on bench duty at the Scottish match thereby allowing Rory Best and Paddy Wallace to return to their province.
Best takes the armband for this match while it will be interesting to note whether Williams opts to select Wallace at outhalf, centre or start him among the replacements as he did for the last match against the Dragons.
Niall O'Connor was given the number 10 jersey for the last match and at the weekend was chosen for the Ireland team thumped 67-7 in the A international in Perth. Ireland Under 20 Grand Slam winner Darren Cave and young Mark McCrea have been chosen in a backline missing Ireland players Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble. Paul Marshall is preferred to Kieran Campbell as backup to scrumhalf Isaac Boss, while Scotland wing Simon Danielli should start.
Williams admitted: "It's been a tough week with so many guys returning to training from international duty, but it's great to be able to include the likes of Rory Best and Paddy Wallace in the squad. With the squad selection we've given some more players the opportunity to perform."
The Northampton-bound Roger Wilson is included in the squad for the first time since breaking his thumb in November. His return was delayed a little by a strained hamstring sustained in training.
There is also a place for Australian-born former shot putter Tom Court who owes his place to an injury sustained by Declan Fitzpatrick in the aforementioned A international. Ulster will be looking to give new coach Williams a second successive victory since taking over.
They face a Llanelli side with aspirations of their own, namely to close the six-point gap on leaders Leinster. They will benefit from the decision by Wales coach Warren Gatland to release Dwayne Peel for club duty at the player's behest. Peel suffered a bang and had to be replaced in the Six Nations game against Italy. He will see consultant neurosurgeon John Martin at Morriston Hospital but is expected to be able to play for Llanelli.
Gatland confirmed: "Dwayne approached us and asked if he could play this weekend, he feels he needs more rugby and we will be more than happy to see him take the field at Ravenhill if the medical opinion approves."
Peel is joined in the Llanelli squad by another player released from the Welsh squad, Alix Popham, who hasn't seen any action in the last two Six Nations games. Ireland's Simon Easterby is also included, having been released by O'Sullivan.
Vernon Cooper, Adam Eustace and Scott MacLeod are omitted due to injury, with the relatively inexperienced Lou Reed and Dominic Day named as their second row options. Hooker Ken Owens is available after recovering from a long term knee injury.
Llanelli won the corresponding fixture at Stradey Park earlier this season.
Munster will name a squad this afternoon that is likely to include Jerry Flannery for their Magners League clash with Cardiff at the Arms Park on Saturday. The hooker has returned to training and a definitive decision on his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury will be taken after training today.
ULSTER SQUAD: M Bartholomeusz, S Danielli, B Cunningham, M McCrea, D Cave , P Steinmetz, N O'Connor, P Wallace, P Marshall, I Boss, J Fitzpatrick, B Young, T Court, R Best (capt), N Brady, J Harrison, R Caldwell, C Del Fava, M McCullough, N Best, K Dawson, S Ferris, R Wilson.
LLANELLI SCARLETS: M Stoddart, D James, D Daniel, N Brew, R King, G Evans, R Priestland, C Thomas, D Peel, G Cattle, L Williams, I Thomas, P John, D Manu, M Schwalger, K Owens, L Reed, D Day, D Jones, G Thomas, J Bater, S Easterby (capt), N Thomas, A Popham.
