Henry and Humphreys to start for Wolfhounds

Ulster duo Chris Henry and Ian Humphreys have been promoted to the starting lineup in the Ireland Wolfhounds team to face Scotland A at Ravenhill on Friday night (7.30pm).

The pair enjoyed contrasting fortunes when brought in for the last 10 minutes of the Wolfhounds' clash with England last Sunday, a spell during which Ireland Wolfhounds almost managed to wrest victory in a tight game.

Henry certainly caught the eye with an impressive spell that included multiple carries and a try and the Ulster captain has also been rewarded with the leadership role in this XV.

But Humphreys never quite got to grips with the game, turning down a drop goal chance that might have put Ireland in front with minutes to go and throwing a wild pass on his own 22 metre line that handed England the initiative late on.

His chance at redemption will come in tandem with Peter Stringer, who also had a patchy outing against the Saxons, with Isaac Boss again forced to make do with a bench spot despite an eye-catching 30 minutes last week.

Overall, the team shows seven changes overall from last week's.

Johne Murphy comes in on the wing for Fionn Carr, who was injured towards the end of last week's game, while Ian Dowling retains his place on the other side. Gavin Duffy will again start at full-back. In the centre positions, Darren Cave comes in for Keith Matthews and will partner Fergus McFadden.

In the pack, Sean Cronin, considered unlucky to miss out on selection for the senior side by some, starts at hooker with Marcus Horan, continuing his comeback from minor heart surgery, at loosehead prop. Tony Buckley is again named as the starting tighthead with Mike Ross on the bench.

Ryan Caldwell and Devin Toner will start in the second row with Dan Tuohy, normally a starting second row for Ulster, lining out at six. Mick O'Driscoll, who also took a knock during Sunday's match, is left out of the squad. With Sean O'Brien moving up into the senior bench, Shane Jennings fills the openside wing-forward slot.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased from: www.ulsterrugby.com, the Ravenhill Ticket Office (Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm,) the Ticket Hotline 028 90 493 222 Option 2 (Mon-Fri, 10am to 12noon) and SS Moores (6 Chichester Street Belfast, 90 322966).

Ireland Wolfhounds v Scotland A, Ravenhill, Friday, 5 February, Ravenhill (7.30pm):

15 - Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht)
14 - Johne Murphy (Leicester)
13 - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
12 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
11 - Ian Dowling (Shannon/Munster)
10 - Ian Humphreys (Ballymena/Ulster)
9 - Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster)
1 - Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster)
2 - Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)
3 - Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
4 - Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon/Ulster)
5 - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
6 - Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
7 - Shane Jennings (St.Mary's College/Leinster)
8 - Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster) Captain

Replacements:

16 - Nigel Brady (Dungannon/Ulster)
17 - Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
18 - Ed O'Donghue (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
19 - Niall Ronan (Shannon/Munster)
20 - Isaac Boss (Ballymena/Ulster)
21 - Ian Keatley (Galwegians/Connacht)
22 - Keith Matthews (Buccaneers/Connacht)