Personal point-scoring on the Kingspan agenda

The interpros may have lost some of their lustre with the need to rotate and rest some of the big names in the approach to matters of more import, but a game like Ulster v Leinster will always come loaded with subplots.

With Joe Schmidt naming his extended squad for the November internationals two days ago, there will be no shortage of players willing to prove the Ireland coach right or wrong. In some cases, overshadowing clubmates will be every bit as motivating as outdoing opponents.

Take Tommy Bowe, for one. Still on a central IRFU contract, the veteran wing didn’t make Schmidt’s inner circle again this time but Jacob Stockdale did and he will hug the opposite touchline today for Ulster.