Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has handed competitive debuts to five players for the RaboDirect PRO12 Boxing Day clash against Leinster at the RDS (kick off 5.30).
With two games in the space of just four days, McLaughlin has had to make full use of his entire squad over the festive period. Following the Boxing Day match in Dublin, Ulster will face Munster at a sold out Ravenhill on Friday 30th December.
Three debutants will start in the backline; centres Chris Farrell and Michael Allen, along with fullback Peter Nelson who has been very impressive for the Ravens in their British & Irish Cup campaign so far this season.
Elsewhere in the backs, Paul Marshall will be partnered at half back by James McKinney, who will make his first start for the Province after a brief substitute appearance against the Ospreys in September. Simon Danielli returns to the team and will occupy the left wing berth, with Phoenix Academy winger Chris Cochrane lining out on the other flank.
Up front, Callum Black, who arrived in Belfast during the summer from Worcester, will make his senior Ulster debut at loosehead prop, while Academy player Ali Birch, a mainstay of the Ulster . . .
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