Ella sees chances for Leinster young guns

NEW Leinster coach Gary Ella told his first press conference that the world cup offered an opportunity for young players to force their way into his team.

In the Leinster squad to face Gloucester in a friendly game this Friday are Reggie Corrigan, Denis Hickie and Girvan Dempsey, although both Brian O’Driscoll and Victor Costello are not being used.

“I spoke to Eddie [O’Sullivan] last week, and he wants to see the players playing before the world cup, to get match practice,” Ella said, who also said that Shane Horgan is still hopeful of being selected for world cup duty.

Costello pulled out of the squad after feeling a calf injury, while Ella feels he has to plan without O’Driscoll until after the world cup. It is similar for Argentine international back Felipe Contepomi.

“We will use our three warm-up games to get to see a lot of new players play and they will be able to press their claims for a place later on in the season.

“Leinster are playing a lot more games this season, and there are a lot of players new to Leinster and players have to get used to my style. It will be hard without the Irish internationals until after the world cup, but it is a great opportunity for a lot of young players.”

Ella says, from what he has seen of the Leinster squad so far, he has been impressed by their speed and feels the overall squad is very strong.

Captain Reggie Corrigan is enjoying the break from international duty, and says it was like a fresh start being back in the squad with all the new faces.

“There are a lot of different guys to get used to, different players and it is a nice break after being away so long with Ireland.”

Meanwhile Leinster confirmed they have sold between 1300-1500 season tickets in their season ticket scheme which comes to an end today. Tickets for their Celtic league match against Munster will go on sale from Ticketlord, 1890 339 333 from tomorrow. Leinster also hope to play their three Heineken Cup group games in Lansdowne Road.

Ulster will parade three World Cup hopefuls in their starting line-up against Orrell on Friday evening (7.30pm).

Internationals Gary Longwell, Simon Best and Paul Shields will feature against the English first division side at Ravenhill while coach Alan Solomons also gives a host of young zealots their chance to show their worth.

Seamus Mallon, who as a 20-year-old played against Leicester three seasons ago, is named on the right wing although more used to playing at outside centre. Former under-21 star Andy Maxwell is on the left and Roger Wilson at number 8 make their senior Ulster debuts.

Former Connacht loose-head Ronan McCormick also makes his Ulster debut after moving north during the summer.

Solomons had also hoped to start Ireland fly-half David Humphreys and centre Jonathan Bell. However, there was a scare when Bell was rushed to hospital with a suspected broken hand after a collision during a contact session yesterday morning. But Bell, whose career has been littered with injury, had nothing more than very severe bruising.

Humphreys did attempt to take part in the practice match, but the injury picked up in the game against Wales last weekend was still prevalent, and it was decided to let him rest.

Once again the experienced Andy Ward will lead the side this season and it is planned to start him at openside.

There is a doubt over Tony McWhirter who dislocated a finger in training. If he fails to recover in time, Neil Best will wear the number seven jersey with Ward switching to blindside.

ULSTER: B Cunningham, S Mallon, R Constable, S Stewart, A Maxwell; P Wallace, Kieran Campbell; R McCormick, P Shields, S Best, M McCullough, G Longwell, T McWhirter/N Best, A Ward, capt, R Wilson. Replacements: M Sexton, C Boyd, M Mustchin, N Best/R Frost, R Spee, T Bowe, S Young.