Anscombe rests Trimble and Jackson for Dragons visit

Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe has decided to omit international duo Paddy Jackson and Andrew Trimble from his extended 25-man squad for Friday night's RaboDirect PRO12 game against Newport Gwent Dragons at Ravenhill (7.05pm).

21-year-old Jackson has enjoyed a busy season, featuring in twenty games for the province and breaking into the Ireland setup, making three appearances in the RBS Six Nations.

Though he has faced increased competition for a starting spot in the international setup, Trimble remains a cornerstone of the Ulster backline and has played twenty-two games in the white jersey this season, crossing for nine tries.

Jackson’s absence may earn backup flyhalf Niall O’Connor some game time. Scrum-half Paul Marshall is also named in the squad opening up the option of starting Ruan Pienaar at ten.

With just three matches remaining for Ulster in the RaboDirect PRO12, the fixture is vitally important as the province bid for a place in the play-offs of the competition.

Tommy Bowe, who played 20 minutes against Saracens in last Saturday’s Heineken Cup Quarter-Final defeat to Saracens, is in line to make his first start for Ulster since he suffered knee ligament damage against Northampton in December.

Ulster are second in the RaboDirect PRO12, one point behind leaders Glasgow Warriors and three points ahead of third-placed Leinster.

Extended Ulster squad:

Forwards (14):

Mike McComish, Callum Black, Rory Best, Robbie Diack, Dan Tuohy, Lewis Stevenson, Declan Fitzpatrick, Nick Williams, Rob Herring, Ali Birch, Ricky Lutton, Tom Court, Iain Henderson, Neil McComb.

Backs (11):

Ruan Pienaar, Jared Payne, Craig Gilroy, Paul Marshall, Peter Nelson, Tommy Bowe, Niall O’Connor, Michael Allen, Adam D’Arcy, Stuart Olding, Darren Cave.