Wallace Returns To Ulster Line-Up

Ulster coach Matt Williams has named his starting line-up for the province’s all-important Heineken Cup opener against Stade Francais at Ravenhill on Saturday (kick-off 3.30pm).

Matt Williams has made three changes to the starting fifteen that recorded Ulster’s first victory of the season against Edinburgh on Friday night, in front of a voal passionate Ravenhill crowd.

In the back row David Pollock drops out of the squad entirely with an injury, with former Ireland international Kieron Dawson starting at openside flanker.

Matt McCullough is named as extra back row cover on the replacements bench.

In the backs, Paddy Wallace returns to the Ulster fold, following his recent hamstring injury, which has kept him out of the team for the last number of weeks. Former All Black Paul Steinmetz is named on the bench.

Ireland scrum half Isaac Boss will start the game alongside Wallace, with youngster Cillian Willis dropping to the bench.

Meanwhile, Fijian winger Timoci Nagusa has also been nudged out of the matchday squad.

ULSTER (v Stade Francais): Bryn Cunningham; Clinton Schifcofske, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble; Niall O’Connor, Isaac Boss; Tom Court, Rory Best (capt), BJ Botha, Ed O’Donoghue, Ryan Caldwell, Stephen Ferris, Kieron Dawson, Robbie Diack.

Replacements: Nigel Brady, Justin Fitzpatrick, Carlo Del Fava, Matt McCullough, Cillian Willis, Ian Humphreys, Paul Steinmetz.