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Bowe was involved in all three November Tests for Ireland this season. ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Comeback

Tommy Bowe returns to Ulster's starting team for Dragons clash

The Ireland international wing hasn’t played since November due to a groin injury.

TOMMY BOWE WILL start for Ulster for the first time since October after being named in the province’s starting XV to face the Dragons in the Pro12 tomorrow night [KO 7.05pm].

The international wing has struggled with a groin injury in recent months, and hasn’t played a game since being involved in all three of the November Tests for Ireland in 2013.

While Joe Schmidt has dampened speculation that an immediate return to form for Ulster this weekend would see the 30-year-old came back into the selection mix ahead of the final two rounds of the Six Nations, seeing Bowe back on the pitch will be encouraging for Irish rugby.

Meanwhile, Paddy Jackson will start at out-half for Mark Anscombe’s team at Ravenhill tomorrow night, having been released from international camp for the weekend. The 22-year-old will be keen to get 80 minutes under his belt after sitting on the Ireland bench for most of the Six Nations campaign so far.

Luke Marshall and Darren Cave are the midfield partnership, while Jared Payne, Ruan Pienaar and the promising Rory Scholes complete an exciting backline.

Up front, Callum Black gets the nod at loosehead prop, making up the front row with Rob Herring and Ricky Lutton. Behind them, Iain Henderson is back from Ireland duty alongside captain Johann Muller in the second row.

Robbie Diack, Sean Doyle and Roger Wilson make up an unchanged back row, while 21-year-old academy centre Stuart McCloskey could make his senior debut from the bench.

Ulster (v Dragons): J Payne; T Bowe, D Cave, L Marshall, R Scholes; P Jackson, R Pienaar; C Black, R Herring, R Lutton; J Muller (capt.), I Henderson; R Diack, S Doyle, R Wilson.

Replacements: N Annett, T Court, A Macklin, L Stevenson, M McComish, P Marshall, S McCloskey, D McIlwaine.

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