Rugby - Team news: Andrew Trimble, Paddy Wallace and Tom Court have been named in Brian McLaughlin's starting XV to take on Scarlets in Friday night's Magners League game at Parc y Scarlets (kick-off 7.05pm).
In all, the Ulster coach has made five changes in personnel to the side which narrowly lost 23-22 to Ospreys last time out. The Irish trio were released from the Ireland Six Nations camp and their inclusion will come as a welcome boost for the province, not to mention giving them game time and a chance to impress ahead of the Scotland game at Murrayfield on Sunday 27th.
Trimble will start on the right wing with Craig Gilroy switching to the left and Simon Danielli dropping to the bench. Wallace will join the in-form Nevin Spence at centre as Ian Whitten drops out of the matchday 22. Prop Court comes in for Bryan Young, who also drops to the bench.
Ian Humphreys has shaken off a shoulder injury and is named at outhalf despite having to come off early against the Ospreys last Sunday.
TJ Anderson comes into the backrow in place of Willie Faloon and Andi Kyriacou is named at hooker and takes over from Nigel Brady.
Johann Muller will captain the side once more in the continued absence of Rory Best, who is still on Ireland duty along with Stephen Ferris.
The Scarlets also welcome back several internationals to bolster their side. New Wales caps Rhys Priestland comes in at outhalf while Josh Turnbull and Rob McCusker take their place in the backrow.
Winger Sean Lamont was also released by Scotland as the quartet, like the Irish Ulster trio, are given more game time in this a rest week during the Six Nations campaign.
Scarlets are currently fourth in the standings - headed by Munster - and have two upcoming home games against Ulster then Edinburgh as they look to secure a place in the play-offs.
Ulster are currently sixth and, while still mathematically possible, believe they can force their way into the play-offs. Friday’s game will be a tough assignment as Scarlets have won three of the last four encounters with Ulster, who have yet to win in Llanelli.
Connacht
coach Eric Elwood also named his starting XV to take on Glasgow at the Sportsground tomorrow night (7pm).
Elwood made two changes to the side that defeated Scarlets with hooker Seán Cronin released from Ireland duty to replace Adrian Flavin, while Ray Ofisa starts at number eight ahead of Mike McComish.
The Connacht backline remains unchanged with Troy Nathan and Niva Ta’auso forming the centre partnership and Fionn Carr, Brian Tuohy and Gavin Duffy completing the back three.
Johnny O’Connor continues to captain the side from flanker and is joined on the other side of the scrum by fellow Galway native Andrew Browne.
Ulster team (v Scarlets): A D'Arcy; A Trimble, N Spence, P Wallace, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; T Court, A Kyriacou, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller (C), T Barker, TJ Anderson, C Henry, P Wannenburg. Replacements: N Brady, J Cronin, B Young, R Caldwell, R Diack, P Marshall, L Marshall, S Danielli.
Scarlets team (v Ulster): D Evans, G Maule, R King, S Williams, S Lamont, R Priestland, M Roberts, I Thomas (C), E Phillips, R Thomas, V Cooper, L Reed, R McCusker, J Turnbull, B Morgan. Replacements: R Lawrence, R Jones, S Gardiner, J Fa'amatuainu, J Edwards, T Knoyle, D Newton, J Ajuwa.
Connacht team (v Glasgow): B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan, M Swift, M McCarthy, A Browne, J O'Connor (C), R Ofisa, F Murphy, I Keatley, F Carr, T Nathan, N Ta'auso, B Tuohy, G Duffy. Replacements: A Flavin, R Loughney, R Ah You, B Upton, M McComish, C Willis, M Nikora, S Monahan
