Ulster call Boss for Treviso tie

ULSTER’S new Kiwi recruit Isaac Boss will make his Heineken Cup debut in place of the injured Kieran Campbell in Saturday’s opening Pool Four clash against Italian champions Benetton Treviso at Ravenhill.

The 25-year-old Irish-qualified scrum-half, who came on at half-time in Ulster’s victory over the Borders last weekend, is the only change to Mark McCall’s line-up.

There are also three changes on the replacements bench. Nigel Brady replaces Paul Shields, who has a knee injury, while the more experienced Campbell Feather replaces Stephen Ferris, and Paul Steinmetz, who has recovered from a fractured jaw, comes in for Andy Maxwell.

But the elevation of Boss comes at an important time in the season, with Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan now a likely visitor to Ravenhill to gauge the form of the former Hurricanes Super 12 star.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for me,” said Boss. “It’s unfortunate in the manner in which I start the game as Kieran has been playing really well.

“But I suppose one has to take these opportunities. I am really looking forward to the game now,” added Boss, one of Ulster’s try scorers last Saturday night in Netherdale.

ULSTER: B Cunningham, T Bowe, K Maggs, A Trimble, J Topping, D Humphreys, I Boss, J. Fitzpatrick, R Best, S Best, capt, J Harrison, M McCullough, N Best, N McMillan, R Wilson.

Replacements: N Brady, B Young, R Frost, C Feather, R Spee, P Wallace, P Steinmetz.