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Ulster boosted by released Ireland internationals and fit-again Pienaar

Craig Gilroy is back after scoring a hat-trick last weekend in Rome.

IRELAND INTERNATIONALS CRAIG Gilroy, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey and Tommy Bowe will be available to Ulster for Saturday’s Guinness Pro12 clash with Glasgow at Kingspan Stadium [KO 3pm, Sky Sports].

Joe Schmidt has opted not to include the quartet of backs in Ireland’s three-day camp at Monaghan RFC, which begins tomorrow.

Craig Gilroy Gilroy scored a hat-trick in Rome. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Gilroy scored a hat-trick of tries off the Ireland bench in last weekend’s win against Italy at Stadio Olimpico, while Marshall was present in Rome as injury cover for the match day squad.

McCloskey and Bowe were both on the Ulster bench for last weekend’s Pro12 win over Edinburgh and Schmidt has opted against bringing them into the Monaghan camp, which will involve a reduced group of around 21 or 22 players.

Ulster have been further boosted by confirmation that scrum-half Ruan Pienaar and hooker Rob Herring are in contention to feature against Glasgow after their recovery from injury, while out-half Brett Herron is also fit again.

However, Ireland international centre Stuart Olding has been ruled out of the clash with Gregor Townsend’s side, having picked up an injury in the win over Edinburgh – a game which marked his first start since October.

Olding’s latest injury – the nature of which is not specified by Ulster – is poorly-timed, particularly as the 23-year-old would have held some hope of pushing his way into Ireland’s Six Nations squad for the remainder of the competition.

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