BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Celtic | All change for Ulster

The boys are back in town as Alan Solomons makes sweeping changes for Friday's Celtic League opener at Ebbw Vale.

Solomons has made no fewer than six changes and two positional switches from the side that shared the spoils with Glasgow last week.

With the Ireland squad members now back in harness for the opening game, Solomons has one of his strongest line-ups on parade.

The only area not affected by change is in the centre.

There was a late change in the back row caused by the withdrawal of Russell Nelson which sees Tony McWhirter moving to number eight.

Nelson has failed to recover from a leg injury.

First start

One player to feel the axe is loose-head Justin Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick finds himself one of two changes in the front-row, and dropped for the first time after 58 consescutive appearances in the Ulster side.

Fitzaptrick finds himself starting from the bench for the first time since he arrived in the province four years ago.

With Ireland squad member Simon Best returning to tight-head, Springbok Robbie Kempson gets his first start for Ulster on the left.

Although starting twice as a replacement at tight, Kempson finished his South African career at loose-head.

With Paddy Wallace, David Humphreys and Tyrone Howe also back from Ireland training, Bryn Cunningham, James Topping and Adam Larkin miss out.

Australian centre Ryan Constable has claims a starting place this season
Constable continues in centre with Jonny Bell

Humphreys is partnered by Neil Doak at half-back, while Ryan Constable has won the battle with Larkin to join Jonny Bell in midfield.

Constable was on the bench for most of last season with Larkin first choice centre beside Bell.

However, with Wallace and Humphreys away recently, Larkin started the season as an emergency fly-half which has allowed his Australian colleague to make his play.

Ireland lock Gary Longwell is back as Jeremy Davidson's second-row partner after coming through his first full training session for a while.

Longwell has been suffering from an Achilles problem, and suffered no overnight reaction to the injury on Tuesday.

Ebbw Vale will be led by former Sale prop Adam Black, one of five players making their competitive debuts for the clubs.

They will be looking to put a summer of strife behind them and welcome back fly-half Scott Mitchell, who suffered an injury-hit season last term.

"We've had a rough time in the last few weeks, but I think we've got a better squad now than we had last season," he said.

"There's a great team spirit and they are all playing for one another and all working hard for the survival of Ebbw Vale."

Ebbw Vale: R Davies; R Shorney, M Ridley, P Matthews, N Wakley; S Mitchell, B Shelbourne; A Black (capt), J Evans, D Jones, O Booyse, N Edwards, K Tuipolotu, T Morris, W Thomas.
Reps: P Jones, C Bevan, P Sidoli, R Williams, M Rowlands, M Meenan, A Bevan.

Ulster: P Wallace; S Coulter; R Constable, J Bell, T Howe; D Humphreys, N Doak; R Kempson, M Sexton, S Best, G Longwell, J Davidson, A Ward, capt, W Brosnihan, T McWhirter.
Replacements: Replacements: J Fitzpatrick, P Shields, N McMillan, M Blair, K Campbell, A Larkin, B Cunningham.


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