Amid the celebratory singing, back-slapping, high fives and tears around the Ulster dressing-room, the most poignant observations in the immediate aftermath of their European Cup win last January 30th came from Allen Clarke. "Suddenly people have begun to realise we will never play together as a group again."
Sure enough, Ulster's first selection of the new season confirms that an era ended for the province on that occasion. Admittedly, the nucleus of the side remains, with nine of that starting XV picked to play against Connacht in the opening round of the Inter provincial Championship in Galway tomorrow.
However, only one of the missing half-dozen, Mark Blair, even makes the bench. Rab Irwin, Stephen McKinty and Andy Matchett are all part-timers of their own choosing, and while still on the scene, invariably they would have to make way initially at any rate in light of Ulster's summer recruitment and the increase in full-time contracts to 24. Similarly, Sheldon Coulter and Andy Park make way for the fitagain James Topping and the returning Tyrone Howe.
Ulster are certainly stronger for the changes. Topping is one of three internationals among the half-dozen changes, the others being past and present Irish captains Paddy Johns and Dion O'Cuinneagain. Another is waiting in the wings on the bench, namely Eric Miller, after his 20-minute comeback against Glasgow Caledonians last week. "We have to do right by him and make sure his rehab is completed correctly. If everything goes well on Saturday, he's sure to play some part," said coach Harry Williams.
The returning former international Niall Malone and the South African-born, Australian-reared Hong Kong international Riaz Fredericks also buttress the bench, as does the Irish under-21 prop Simon Best.
ULSTER (v Connacht): S Mason; J Topping, J Cunningham, J Bell, T Howe; D Humphreys (capt), S Bell; J Fitzpatrick, A Clarke, G Leslie, P Johns, G Longwell, D O'Cuinneagain, T McWhirter, A Ward. Replacements: M Edwards, N Malone, R Fredericks, R Weir, S Best, M Blair, E Miller.
