Anscombe names squad for season opener

Ulster coach Mark Anscombe has named a 26 man squad ahead of Friday's RaboDirect PRO12 game against Glasgow in Ravenhill (7.05pm).

Tom Court, John Afoa and Johann Muller and Lewis Stevenson will provide leadership and experience in a squad of forwards which includes former Irish schools captain Niall Annett.

Ulster fans will be delighted to see kiwi Jared Payne in the squad, the versatile back endured a long road to recovery after damaging his Achilles last October.

New signings Sean Doyle, Nick Williams and Michael Heaney have also been named and will make their competitive debuts if they feature against the Warriors.

Anscombe will be hoping to build on impressive pre-season wins over Bayonne, Leicester and Newcastle.

Ulster squad (v Glasgow Warriors): Forwards: Niall Annett, Adam Macklin, Callum Black, John Afoa, Lewis Stevenson, Neil McComb, Mike McComish, Johann Muller, Robbie Diack, Sean Doyle, Nick Williams, Rob Herring, Tom Court, Nigel Brady, Declan Fitzpatrick. Backs: Peter Nelson, Jared Payne, Niall O’Connor, Michael Heaney, Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson, Luke Marshall, Paul Marshall, Chris Farrell, Michael Allen, Darren Cave.