Wallace in as Ulster drop Longwell

IRELAND lock Gary Longwell has been dropped by Ulster for Saturday’s Celtic Cup final against Edinburgh at Murrayfield.

Coach Alan Solomons also made another big call when he promoted Paddy Wallace to full-back for the decider. With Ryan Constable still out with an injured shoulder, Shane Stewart again fills in at centre as Paul Steinmetz’s midfield partner.

Longwell, Ulster’s most capped player, even fails to win a place on the bench, with New Zealand export Matt Mustchin starting with Rowan Frost in the second-row and a fit-again Matt McCullough called into the replacements panel.

“Gary was in a difficult position in that during the World Cup he was unable to play or train because of a pulled calf muscle. He had been out of action for up to six weeks, and a calf injury is not a easy injury to deal with. I believe he has been struggling a little bit.

“I believe the proper course of action for him would be to play 80 minutes of club rugby in a two-week window in which we can really focus on his conditioning and get him up to speed.

“Matt Mustchin has played particularly well all season, and he gets his chance to start against Edinburgh. Matt McCullough was a key member of the pack until he got injured against Glasgow, but is now back to full fitness, and he will be a very useful man on the bench.”

The 25-times capped Longwell, 32, has been a fixture in the Ulster second-row since his debut against Cornwall in 1991. He collected his 122nd Ulster cap against Stade Francais last Friday, but his omission now leaves David Humphreys and skipper Andy Ward as the only remaining players from the 1999 European Cup winning side.

McCullough returns after being sidelined with a leg injury. He proved his fitness in an AIB League game against St Mary’s at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Wallace’s inclusion at full-back comes on the back of his game-winning try a minute after replacing Bryn Cunningham against Stade Francais.

Cunningham can feel hard done by. The Dungannon player has probably been Ulster’s most consistent performer over the past couple of seasons.

However, he lacks the flair of Wallace, who has the ability to turn a game on its head.

Wallace was a late call-up to the Ireland’s World Cup squad but did not feature.

“Paddy gets his big opportunity to stake his claim,” said Solomons. “I think the time is now right for him to have a run at full-back.

“Over the past two years, he hasn’t really had a chance to play much rugby because of injury and being away in the World Cup.

“But he has come back, got stuck in, and worked extremely hard for both club and against Borders. He also played a major part when he came on against Stade Francais.

“I suppose we are in a very fortunate position to have someone like Bryn Cunningham on the bench. He has had a particularly outstanding season to date, but it speaks volumes for our strength in depth.”

Wallace, 24, was delighted to given a chance after a stop-start season thus far.

“I have had a frustrating time lately. I haven’t seen much action since last season, but now I have to take my chance,’ said the Ireland A fly-half.

“However, I will obviously under a little pressure now to perform and try to stake my place for the next round of European Cup games.”

ULSTER: P Wallace; J Topping; S Stewart, P Steinmetz, T Howe; D Humphreys, N Doak; R Kempson, M Sexton, S Best, R Frost, M Mustchin, A Ward (capt), N Best, R Wilson.

Replacements: P Shields, R Moore, M McCullough, T McWhirter, K Campbell, A Larkin, B Cunningham.