MAGNERS LEAGUE: Ulster v Glasgow Warriors:THE IRFU national player management World Cup programme continues to protect Ireland's long-term interests, while forcing the provinces to test out aspiring academy recruits with regularity. It must prove very frustrating for the coaches but, all told, it remains a solid plan.
It means Ian Whitten has already been given a few opportunities when a situation like this evening arises. Paddy Wallace and Stephen Ferris both sustained ankle injuries representing their country during the November series. Whitten looks the real deal at 12 and David Pollack, a medical student just back from injury, made a rapid ascent through the age grades to reach this juncture.
Pollack, the under-20s Grand Slam-winning captain in 2007, is an openside flanker by nature but starts at six tonight alongside Willie Faloon and stand-in captain Chris Henry, two men who have thrived under the new coaching regime.
Other notable absentees are Springbok tighthead prop BJ Botha – Ulster confirmed, just in case anyone was wondering, earlier this week that he was going nowhere until 2011 – and Andrew Trimble but the return of Timoci Nagusa from the Fijian camp and Simon Danielli from Scotland ensures a potent strike-force remains in place.
Declan Fitzpatrick deputises at prop for Botha.
After a five-week hiatus, this match has added value considering the arrival of Stade Francais to Belfast next week for the crucial Heineken Cup round three fixture.
It also represents the first game under the direction of Ulster’s new chief executive Shane Logan.
The 46-year-old will leave David Humphreys overseeing playing operations, bringing a wealth of administrative experience having previously been general manager of Harland and Wolff shipbuilders, head of Coca-Cola in central Russia and most recently, chief executive of the Royal National Institute of the Blind.
Glasgow are equally hampered by November’s international window as backrowers Alastair Kellock and Johnnie Beattie are rested but scrumhalf Chris Cusiter should appear off the bench at some stage.
Ulster look the better equipped of the two to return to the top of the Magners League tonight.
ULSTER: C Schifcofske; T Nagusa, D Cave, I Whitten, S Danielli; I Humphreys, I Boss; T Court, A Kyriacou, D Fitzpatrick; D Tuohy, R Caldwell; D Pollock, W Faloon, C Henry (capt). Replacements: N Brady, B Young, E O'Donoghue, T Anderson, P Marshall, N O'Connor, J Shiels.
GLASGOW WARRIORS: B Stortoni; A Dunbar, M Evans, G Morrison, T Evans; D Parks, M McMillan; J Welsh, D Hall, M Low; T Barker, R Gray; K Brown, J Barclay (capt), R Vernon. Replacements: F Thomson, K Tkachuk, D Turner, C Forrester, C Cusiter, C Gregor, P Murchie.
Referee: J Jones (WRU).
Handicap betting: Ulster (evens) -7. Glasgow (4/5) +7.
Recent meetings: April 2009 – Glasgow 19 Ulster 20; March 2009 – Ulster 12 Glasgow 0; May 2008 – Ulster 24 Glasgow 35.
Top points scorers: Ulster – Ian Humphreys 70. Glasgow – Dan Parks 86.
Top tries: Ulster – Ian Humphreys, Simon Danielli, Andrew Trimble, Timoci Nagusa – 2 each. Glasgow – Thom Evans 3.
Verdict: Home win.
