Hi °C | Lo °C Ireland trio Tom Court, Andrew Trimble and Paddy Wallace are set to play for Ulster in Friday's vital Magners League game away to the Scarlets.
National coach Declan Kidney is keen to have a look at some of the players who haven't had much game time in Ireland's opening two Six Nations games and that will be good news for Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin.
“It is only fair that we take a look at the lads who didn’t start against France and see how they go and what they can contribute,” said Kidney.
“There’s a trade off between having the same 15 all the time and the consistency of performance that it can lead to, against bringing in a new player who can bring in their own ingredients and skill set to maybe put a bit of spark into it.”
Big games from the three will not only help to get Ulster back on track after a 23-22 defeat against the Ospreys on Sunday, but could open the door for a starting berth against Scotland at Murrayfield next Sunday as Ireland start their quest for the Triple Crown.
Trimble hasn’t seen any action on the pitch since breaking a bone in his hand in Ulster’s Heineken Cup win at Aironi last month.
He was passed fit for the France game, but wasn’t included in Kidney's 22-man match day squad.
Wallace has only had three minutes of game time in the first two Six Nations matches. He came on against Italy, but was not used against the French and he will be looking to impress in Llanelli in order to put pressure on Gordon D'Arcy.
Court has had 26 minutes of rugby in both games and will also be hoping to persuade Kidney that he can face the Scots, but he may find it difficult to dislodge Cian Healy and Mike Ross after an improved scrum against France.
The inclusion of those three will soften the blow of Ian Humphreys’ absence against the Welsh side.
The Ireland A international had scored eight points and created a penalty try for Ulster in the defeat to the Ospreys before having to go off before half-time with a shoulder injury.
Although the injury is not as bad as first feared, it may keep Humphreys sidelined for a couple of weeks.
Ulster will go into the Scarlets game seven points behind their hosts who are currently fourth.
McLaughlin's men must win if they want to keep their hopes of a play-off place alive, especially as they will face third place Cardiff at Ravenhill a week later.
Ulster fans travelling to the game are going to experience something a little different from the usual pre-match activities.
The Scarlets have teamed up with the FUW to provide a special farming theme at Parc y Scarlets. Farmers Day will be a celebration of rural life, the region's farmers, their supporters and local producers.
In addition to the excitement of Friday night Magners League action, there will be a lot more on offer around the stadium and in the Supporters Village where the Scarlets will host true tastes of the region for supporters.
