ULSTER LOOK TO EWERS FOR CRUCIAL TOULOUSE CLASH
From Back Page hoping to press his Six Nations claims with a big showing against the French visitors in the capital but yet another injury has stalled the 24-year-old’s rise.
‘He got injured unfortunately in the week,’ Leinster head coach Leo Cullen revealed yesterday.
‘Hopefully it’s minor enough, he rolled his ankle, but wasn’t in the frame for selection. He’s unfortunate, he would likely have been involved.’
James Lowe makes his first appearance of the season and starts on the left wing.
The New Zealand-born Ireland star has been out of action with a foot injury since the World Cup quarter-final defeat by the All Blacks in October but he has been passed fit to feature in this European pool meeting.
Tadhg Furlong also returns to the starting line-up, while James Ryan is named on a potent bench for the hosts.
Leinster are set to be bulk suppliers to Ireland during the Six Nations, just as they were in last year’s tournament and at the World Cup.
And Cullen has backed Jordan Larmour to force his way back into the back three selection reckoning after fellow wings Mack Hansen and Jimmy O’Brien were ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
‘Jordan’s been excellent for us on this run of games,’ he said.
‘Hopefully he goes well again tomorrow, if he can score a try down here like he did against Munster a few weeks ago, it would be nice.
‘He’s going well, working hard and getting the results. I hope all the guys go well.’
Meanwhile, Ulster head coach Dan McFarland has made two changes to his starting line-up ahead of tonight’s crunch Champions Cup clash with Toulouse at Kingspan Stadium.
Tom Stewart starts ahead of Rob Herring at hooker, while former Exeter flanker Dave Ewers starts on the blindside flank alongside Seán Reffell and in the in-form Nick Timoney.
Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey, James Hume and Rob Baloucoune all feature in a potent backline and all four will be looking to impress Farrell ahead of next week’s Six Nations squad announcement.
Elsewhere, Connacht boss Pete
Wilkins has rung the changes ahead of his side’s game against Lyon in France.
Scrum-half Michael McDonald, who is on loan from Ulster, starts his first game for the province and links up with Jack Carty at halfback. Tom Daly and Tom Farrell resume their midfield partnership, while JJ Hanrahan starts at full-back.
Cian Prendergast starts on the flank but Finlay Bealham misses out due to injury.