McLaughlin has no regrets at throwing in the kids

ULSTER coach Brian McLaughlin believes his young starlets will benefit from the experience gained in defeat to Munster.

McLaughlin raised eyebrows with his selection decisions for Saturday night’s Magners League derby at Thomond Park, leaving big-name South African signings Johann Muller, Pedrie Wanneburg and Ruan Pienaar out of his travelling squad following last Monday night’s 30-13 thumping at home by Leinster.

Fellow former Springbok BJ Botha was named on the bench but pending paternity forced him back to Belfast, but it was an Ulster starting side showing 13 changes from the Leinster defeat that caught the eye.