Anscombe: Decision to play Bowe at full-back not Kidney’s call

Ulster coach Mark Anscombe has revealed the decision to play Tommy Bowe at full-back against the Dragons at the weekend was not on the instruction of Declan Kidney.

Anscombe said he had made the call without input from the Irish management as Ulster wanted to rest Jared Payne. It was believed that Kidney had requested the selection of Bowe at No.15 as he ponders who to select at full-back for the autumn internationals.

But the Ulster boss rubbished such claims. “Jared had played since the start of the season and we wanted to see how Tommy went in that position and we were pleased with the way it went,” said Anscombe after their 46-19 win which maintained their perfect start to season with eight straight victories.