Updated 14.28
IT MAY BE a rest week in the battle for this year’s Six Nations Crown, but for the peripheral members of the Irish squad, this weekend’s Magners League fixtures will provide an opportunity to get some much-needed match practice.
It will be a big weekend for Andrew Trimble in particular who returns to the Ulster wing for tomorrow evening’s game against the Llanelli Scarlets.
A hamstring strain has kept the Ulsterman out of the national side for the opening two games of the Six Nations though he now looks likely to be ready for next weekend’s trip to Murrayfield.
He will be joined in Ulster’s starting 15 at Parc Y Scarlets by Paddy Wallace and forwards Tom Court and Nevin Spence, all of whom were named in Declan Kidney’s original panel for the tournament.
There is still no place in the matchday 22 for Stephen Ferris, however, who is yet to fully recover from a knee injury. It was reported earlier in the week that the flanker would be fit to face Scotland. However, following their latest assessment, the national medical team decided to send Ferris for further treatment.
Ireland manager Paul McNaughton confirmed this afternoon that Ferris will not feature in Ireland’s Six Nations game next weekend.
Irish eyes will also be on the Neath Swansea Ospreys when they announce their starting fifteen later on today. Having returned to full training earlier in the week, it is widely expected that Irish winger Tommy Bowe will feature at some stage during Saturday’s clash against Benneton Treviso.
Meanwhile, Munster welcome back Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara and Denis Leamy for their league tie against Edinburgh.
Leamy was selected at blindside flanker for Ireland’s opening game against Italy, though he had to make way for the French game when Sean O’Brien was moved to number six in order to facilitate Jamie Heaslip’s return at eight.
Mick O’Driscoll, Donncha Ryan, Johne Murphy and Denis Hurley have all also been named in the Munster 15 for the game in Thomond Park tomorrow night.
For Connaught, hooker Sean Cronin has returned following his cameo against France on Sunday. He lines out alongside full-back Gavin Duffy, prop Brett Wilkinson and lock Mike McCarthy for tomorrow’s game against the Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsgrounds.
