Bowe injury forces McCall to make one change

Ulster Team News Mark McCall has made just one change from the team that beat Toulouse for Friday night's Heineken European …

Ulster Team NewsMark McCall has made just one change from the team that beat Toulouse for Friday night's Heineken European Cup clash with Llanelli at Stradey Park. Right wing Tommy Bowe suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury in the Toulouse match and was forced to retire.

His place was taken by Andrew Maxwell who is retained in the starting line-up with Scott Young coming into the replacements. It is the only change to the match 22. Bowe will be out of action for four to six weeks and will miss Ireland's three internationals in the November Test series.

McCall pointed out: "It's a very significant match for both teams this weekend. We want to back up our performance last week and they won't want to lose at home. The Toulouse match was a very positive display from us but it's gone now, and our preparation for Llanelli this week has been good."

Leinster coach Michael Cheika will today confirm an extended squad for Sunday's game against Edinburgh at Murrayfield. Flanker Cameron Jowitt and scrumhalf Chris Whitaker, both of whom missed the victory over Gloucester, are expected to be named, although whether either are close to recovering from their respective shoulder injuries is a moot point.

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The Leinster players were given Sunday and Monday off but returned to training yesterday. Reggie Corrigan will become the most capped Leinster player in the European Cup if he plays any part in the Edinburgh match. He came off the bench against Gloucester to equal Victor Costello's mark of 57 appearances but should grab the record outright on Sunday.

Connacht's Michael Bradley will await a definitive medical report on wing Matt Mostyn ahead of Saturday's European Challenge Cup clash with Bath at the Recreation Ground. The Australian-born Ireland wing damaged a hamstring in the defeat by Harlequins. Secondrow David McGown is once again available for selection for a squad that will be announced tomorrow.

ULSTER: (v Llanelli at Stradey Park): B Cunningham; A Maxwell, P Steinmetz, P Wallace, A Trimble; D Humphreys, I Boss; J Fitzpatrick, R Best, B Young; J Harrison (capt), M McCullough; N Best, S Ferris, R Wilson. Replacements: P Shields, S Best, T Barker, K Dawson, K Campbell, K Maggs, S Young.

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer