Baptism of fire for Ulster newbies

WHEN Leinster coach Joe Schmidt announced his team for the St Stephen’s Day showdown with Ulster, Isaac Boss was surely disappointed, but probably not all that surprised.

These days he seems to be only handed a starting jersey when Leinster are away from home, whereas Eoin Reddan is favoured when the province play in from of a home crowd.

The reasoning seems to be that the more physically abrasive Boss is better suited to the rigours of a tough away encounter whereas Reddan is the man tasked with helping direct a more expansive game on Irish soil.