WALLACE IN THE MIX FOR DRAGONS TEST
Paddy Wallace with Head Coach Brian McLaughlin
IRELAND’S Paddy Wallace trained with his Ulster team mates yesterday as the Province prepare to return to PRO12 action on Friday night with the visit to Ravenhill of Newport Gwent Dragons.
Although Wallace was due back with the Ireland camp today as they gear up for the task of getting their Six Nations Championship campaign back on track in Paris on Saturday, it was widely expected Declan Kidney would be releasing him to his Province.
There may have been slim hopes that Kidney would give Wallace a spot on the Irish matchday panel in light of the poor performance by the midfield in Sunday’s loss to Wales.
However, with options such as Tommy Bowe available if Kidney was to look for a change, Wallace may not be involved for a second weekend.
Chris Henry, who also trained with Ulster yesterday, was also expected to be released along with lock, Dan Tuohy, who is also on the Irish 30-man squad.
Ulster head coach, Brian McLaughlin has continued to take training along with his assistants Neil Doak and Jonny Bell, in spite of last Tuesday’s media speculation indicating that the trio would possibly not be involved in the coaching set up next season - something which Ulster Rugby have yet to confirm, or indeed, deny.
Ulster have a number of key PRO12 games during the Six Nations period and the pressure is on the side to show an improved form when they were missing players at the start of the season due to the Rugby World Cup.
However, Ulster will have their overseas compliment on board this time and it will be the perfect time to register some good wins and keep themselves on course for a top four finish and successive play-offs for the title.
There was good news on the injury front with prop Paddy McAllister back in the mix for selection.
Fellow prop, Declan Fitzpatrick and centre, Darren Cave both remain out of contention as they continue rehab on neck and foot injuries respectively.
Ulster currently lie in sixth place in the table, three points behind Scarlets and four behind Glasgow.
Both those sides will meet on Thursday night and the result of that will mean a win for Ulster can thrust them up one more place in the table and keep them in touch with those challenging for the top four.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
