Ulster give Spence the nod for vital Bath tie

NEVIN SPENCE will start his first Heineken Cup game for Ulster today after Brian McLaughlin’s decision to bring the 20-year-old in for the crunch clash with Bath.

The Ballynahinch flyer had a brief taster of European action for all of seven minutes last season when he came on as a replacement against Biarrtiz, but McLaughlin has named the tyro in midfield because of the recurring hamstring injury which may sideline Darren Cave until the New Year.

“Nevin has done well this season and while it may surprise a few people, I believe he is up to the job,” McLaughlin said.

The Ulster boss has installed Paddy Wallace as Spence’s midfield partner. Ruan Pienaar starts at scrum-half, while Johann Muller returns from a neck injury to lead the side along side Dan Tuohy at lock.

Ireland’s Stephen Ferris is named at blindside with Chris Henry at open and Pedrie Wannenburg at number 8.

McLaughlin admits defeat would almost certainly end his side’s hopes of making the knockout stages.

“We need to win - it’s as simple as that - if we want to go further in the competition.”

After their double over Bath in last year’s competition, Ulster are favourites to repeat the dose. Andrew Trimble is confident of his team’s abilities.

“We gave ourselves a real lift with those two recent away victories in the Magners, so we are confident we can do what is necessary,” the Ireland international insisted.

“Losing this weekend isn’t an option,” he added. “I think either Bath or ourselves have to win both games. A one-one split really isn’t much use to either of us. We’ve got them at home first and that’s very important. We have to go out, produce a performance, win and then see what happens next week.”