Tommy Bowe returns for Ulster

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt releases Paddy Jackson and Iain Henderson and they start against the Dragons

Tommy Bowe. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
Tommy Bowe. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Tommy Bowe will start for Ulster against Newport Gwent Dragons at Ravenhill tomorrow night (7.05) having recovered from the leg injury that has kept him out since November.

The British & Irish Lions winger is joined in the back three by Jared Payne, who is selected at fullback, and by Ireland Under 20's flyer Rory Scholes, who makes his first senior start for the province.

Luke Marshall and Darren Cave maintain their partnership in midfield. Paddy Jackson has been released by Ireland and starts at outhalf, with Ruan Pienaar reverting to his more familiar position at scrumhalf.

Up front Callum Black starts at loosehead, with Tom Court named on the bench. Rob Herring continues at hooker with Ricky Lutton keeping his place at tighthead.

READ SOME MORE

Johann Muller captains Ulster from the second row where he is joined by Iain Henderson, who has also been released from by Ireland team manager Joe Schmidt.

Robbie Diack, Sean Doyle and Roger Wilson all start in an unchanged back row. Twenty one year old academy centre, Stuart McCloskey is named as a replacement and will make his first senior appearance for Ulster if called upon. The game is a sell-out, the 11th time this has happened this season.

Ulster: J Payne; T Bowe, D Cave, L Marshall, R Scholes; P Jackson, R Pienaar; C Black, R Herring, R Lutton; J Muller (capt), I Henderson; R Diack, S Doyle, R Wilson. Replacements: N Annett, T Court, A Macklin, L Stevenson, M McComish, P Marshall, S McCloskey, D McIlwaine.