Humphreys To Start For Ulster Against Glasgow

After battling back from an ankle injury and making an impressive cameo appearance during the second half of last week’s 16-16 draw with Leinster, David Humphreys has earned a recall to the Ulster team for tomorrow’s Magners League meeting with Glasgow Warriors (Firhill, kick-off 7.30pm).

The selected Ulster team shows two changes to the side that drew 16-16 with Leinster at Ravenhill last Friday. Humphreys, who kicked the levelling penalty against Leinster, will make his first start of the season at out-half, with Paddy Wallace dropping to the bench.

The other change in the starting line-up sees former Australian lock Justin Harrison partnering Ryan Caldwell in the second row, with Italy’s Carlo Del Fava making way.

The back row remains unchanged with Kieron Dawson lining up alongside Neil Best and Stephen Ferris.

Interestingly, Andrew Trimble, Ulster’s sole try scorer against Leinster, will again be partnered by Scottish international Rob Dewey in the centre. The powerfully-built Dewey will be lining up against several of his international team-mates.

Included in an Ulster squad for the first time this season is hooker Stuart Philpott, who is listed amongst the replacements and will be hoping to win his second cap for his province.

Commenting on the return of Humphreys and his side’s recent displays, Ulster coach Mark McCall said: “Like every other position in the team there is a lot of competition for places and Paddy Wallace has started the last two games. David did really well coming off the bench against Leinster on Friday and deserves his first start of the season.

“We identified our defence as a problem against the Scarlets and on Friday against Leinster it was clear that progress had been made, although they had a lot of the ball we had good structure and shape to our game.

“When we play our game as we did in the last 30 minutes against Leinster, we show that we are a good team with some great players.”

ULSTER (v Glasgow): Bryn Cunningham; Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble, Rob Dewey, Mark McCrea; David Humphreys, Isaac Boss; Justin Fitzpatrick, Rory Best (capt), Bryan Young, Justin Harrison, Ryan Caldwell, Neil Best, Kieron Dawson, Stephen Ferris.

Replacements: Stuart Philpott, Declan Fitzpatrick, Carlo Del Fava, Roger Wilson, Kieran Campbell, Paddy Wallace, Mark Bartholomeusz.