Anscombe must reshuffle as Gilroy out

Ireland winger Craig Gilroy will miss Ulster’s opening Heineken Cup tie against Leicester Tigers at Ravenhill tomorrow night due to an ankle injury.

Gilroy picked up the knock during last week’s 18-12 victory over the Ospreys and was still in an orthopaedic boot yesterday. “The injury is not too serious, and hopefully I will be fit for selection next week,” said a disappointed Gilroy.

It means coach Mark Anscombe must revert to Jared Payne at full-back with Darren Cave taking over the number 13 to partner Luke Marshall in midfield. Michael Allen, who has been a big performer for Ulster this season, could lose out with Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble taking the wing berths.

The only other absentee is All Black World Cup winner John Afoa who is still struggling with a calf strain which means Ireland tight-head Declan Fitzpatrick is called up with Ricky Lutton as cover on the bench.

Dan Tuohy will partner Johann Muller at lock with Nick Williams and Chris Henry in the back-row with Anscombe having to make a big call between Robbie Diack or Roger Wilson for the number six jersey.

Anscombe, though, says he is happy with the situation and it’s not too hard to get excited about the clash with the English Premiership champions.

“You have to, don’t you,” said Anscombe, who is well aware of the big scores Ulster have put on the Tigers in two previous meetings at Ravenhill which could add to the pressure.

“Not really pressure, it just creates the expectation of being able to do that again.”

Anscombe emphasised the obvious when he said that quick ball at the breakdown will be the key to Ulster’s chances.

“We have identified where some of most of our strengths are, but you can’t use them if you do not get good ball. But it’s not only the ruck but hoping the set-piece works well to set up a platform to let us do it,” said Anscombe who rates the Tigers’ half-back Toby Flood and Ben Youngs as their key players.

“Without a doubt their nine and ten will be key players. I have a lot of time and respect for Flood. Inside him he has Youngs who is their trigger. If the tempo of the game needs to rise he will change it for them and get their forwards going and put them in the right part of the park.

“So basically for us to do a good job this week is to nullify or compete at their set pieces, and then close down their half-backs.

“But the main thing I want from Ulster is to show people what they are capable off and to come off the field, win or lose, and say they gave it their best shot.”