Andrew Trimble will win his 189th cap for Ulster when he lines out for his province against Ospreys at Kingspan Stadium tomorrow night in the opening game of this season’s Guinness PRO12.
Ulster’s all-time record try scorer will start on the right wing and is joined in the back three by Craig Gilroy, who scored 11 tries in the competition last season, and Louis Ludik who is winning his 26th cap.
The game will also see Peter Nelson start his first game for Ulster at outhalf. The versatile 22 year old, who has previously played 10 for Dungannon RFC and Ulster A, returns to the position following injuries to Ian Humphreys (hamstring strain) and Sam Windsor (Achilles).
Paul Marshall is selected at scrumhalf, with centres Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall completing the backline.
Rob Herring captains the side and starts at hooker. He is joined in the front row by Andrew Warwick who is picked at loosehead and tighthead Wiehahn Herbst.
Dan Tuohy and Franco van der Merwe are paired in the second row, with Roger Wilson named at blindside. Willie Faloon returns to competitive action with Ulster at openside and Nick Williams back from suspension to take up his position at Number 8.
Head Coach, Neil Doak, has selected six forwards and two backs on the replacements bench with John Andrew, Ricky Lutton, Bronson Ross, Peter Browne, Clive Ross and Sean Reidy named alongside David Shanahan and Sam Arnold.
Ulster team to play Ospreys:
15. Louis Ludik
14. Andrew Trimble
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Craig Gilroy
10. P Nelson
9. Paul Marshall
1. Andrew Warwick
2. Rob Herring
3. Wiebhan Herbst
4. Dan Tuohy
5. Franco Van der Merwe
6. Roger Wilson
7. Willie Faloon
8. Nick Williams
