AT A time when all their resources are needed, Ulster have been forced to make major amendment to the side to meet New South Wales at Ravenhill tonight. Having lost internationals Jeremy Davidson and Jonathan Bell to injury on Sunday, Ulster suffered another unexpected setback yesterday with the withdrawal of international flanker Denis McBride, who was due to captain the team against Australia's champion province.
While Ulster had been resigned to the loss of Davidson and Bell alter neither had been able to take a meaningful part in the Ireland squad sessions on Sunday, McBride took a full part. Just before the end of the afternoon session, however, he suffered what had been thought to be no more than a slight groin, strain. The injury was very sore yesterday, however, and after a medical examination, he had no alternative but to withdraw. His place will be taken by Ireland A international Kevin McKee.
Meanwhile, Davidson's withdrawal from the second row means that Paddy Johns will move from number eight to second row with Steve McKinty, who will now lead the side in McBride's absence, coming in at the base of the serum. As anticipated, international Mark McCall, unlucky to lose out in the original selection, comes into the centre for Bell.
Ulster's problems may not end, with those three changes. A decision on the fitness of international second row Davey Tweed, who suffered a groin strain in the Ireland session on Sunday morning, will be made today. Ballymena clubmate, under 21 international Gary Longwell stands by.
This looks an even stronger New South Wales side than that which defeated Leinster on Friday. Accomplished internationals Tim Gavin, Willie Ofahangue and David Campese are included.
All five Ireland selectors will be present. One benefit from the Ulster alterations is that they will get the opportunity to see Johns in the second row. It is also a big match for Ulster out half David Humphreys. However, the Ulster forwards will have to do infinitely, better than the Leinster pack managed if Humphreys is to get a reasonable chance to display his attacking leanings.
It is a match that represents a severe test for Ulster. However, on their home soil, Ulster have frequently shown an admirable capacity to rise to the challenge.
. Lansdowne and Terenure College, who meet in the final of the Leinster Senior League on Saturday, will not be able to call on the services of their Ireland squad players. This means that Lansdowne will be without Eric Elwood and Terenure will be minus the services of scrum half Niall Hogan.
Both players will be required to attend the Ireland squad session on Saturday afternoon and Ireland manager Pat Whelan said yesterday that they will not be released, evens though players who will be playing for their clubs in the Pilkington Cup in England have been released. They are Nick Popplewell (Newcastle), Conor O'Shea (London Irish), Simon Geoghegan (Bath) and Jim Staples (Harlequins).
"When I agreed to release players to play in England, I was not aware the Leinster League final had been fixed for next Saturday and I got no request for the release of players whose clubs are involved in it," said Whelan. "Were I to release any more players, it would diminish the value of the squad session on Saturday considerably."
