Paddy Wallace has signed a one year deal which will see him contracted to the IRFU and Ulster Rugby until June 2013 while Tom Court has agreed a two year term which will see him wear Ulster colours until June 2014.

Both players were part of the Ireland Squad that reached the quarter-final stage of this year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Paddy Wallace, currently the longest serving member of the Ulster squad made his debut against Swansea in August 2001. Educated at Campbell College Belfast, Paddy was part of Ireland’s U19 Rugby World Cup winning side in 1999 and represented Ireland at U21, A and Sevens level before winning his first senior cap  when he came on a replacement against South Africa in November 2006. He was a member of Irish squad who won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009.

Tom Court joined Ulster Rugby from Australia at the start of the 2006-07 season. Irish qualified through ancestry, he was one of the best shot-putters in Australia and was a late convert to rugby union, taking up the game at the University of Queensland. From there he was invited to join the Queensland Reds Rugby Academy and played for New Zealand Province Manawatu, before returning to Australia to feature in the Reds Super 14 squad. No sooner had he arrived in Belfast than he was taken to the USA and Canada as part of the Ireland A Churchill Cup Squad and having won his first full Irish cap in the 2009 Six Nations Championships he is now a regular member of Ireland’s match day squad.

“I’ve had a great run here so far and Belfast is very much home now for my young family, so I’m delighted to have signed a new contract with Ulster.” commented Court. “I think we’ve made some real progress over the past 2-3 seasons, the Ulster team is as tight as ever and it’s a brilliant boost for me to sign a new deal and ensure that I’m part of that set-up.”

“It’s great to get the contract agreed early, and to have the certainty about where I’m going to be for the foreseeable future. Now I can just concentrate on the rugby.  Winning silverware with Ulster will be my main goal, and if things go well with Ulster then hopefully Ireland will fall into place.”

David Wallace will win his 200thcap as Munster name an unchanged starting XV for tomorrow’s Magners Grand Final clash with European champions Leinster at Thomond Park Stadium (5.05).

The match day 23 shows just one change from the squad that saw off Ospreys in the semi final with Johne Murphy named on the bench in place of Simon Zebo.

Otherwise it’s as you were for McGahan’s side as they chase a title they last captured in 2009.

Wallace, playing in his 17th game of the season becomes just the sixth Munster player to reach the 200thcap mark, having made his debut against Connacht in August 1997 alongside Ronan O’Gara.

Munster: F Jones; D Howlett, D Barnes, L Mafi, K Earls; R O’Gara, C Murray; M Horan, D Varley, J Hayes; D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell capt; D Ryan, D Wallace, J Coughlan. Replacements: M Sherry, W du Preez, S Archer, D Leamy, N Ronan, P Stringer, P Warwick, J Murphy.

Referee: Nigel Owens.

Fergus McFadden will win his first cap for Ireland and is selected on the right wing and will play in a new combination back three with Keith Earls picked on the left wing and Luke Fitzgerald being chosen at full back for Ireland for the first time. The final change to the backline sees Tomas O’Leary come into the scrumhalf position after missing all of the Guinness Series in November due to injury.

In the pack, Rory Best returns to the side at hooker with Mike Ross earning his first start in the championship at tight head prop. Paul O’Connell is another who returns to the team to earn his 71st cap in the second row.

The back row is also a new combination at international level with Denis Leamy selected alongside David Wallace and Sean O’Brien, who earns his first RBS 6 Nations start for Ireland.

Ireland Team (to play Italy, RBS 6 Nations Championship, Stadio Flaminio, Rome on Saturday, February 5th, 15:30)

15 – Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
14 – Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) Captain
12 – Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 – Keith Earls (Thomond/Munster)
10 – Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
9 – Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
1 – Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 – Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 – Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 – Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
6 – Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)
7 – David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)
8 – Sean O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)

Replacements:
16 – Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)
17 – Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 – Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster)
19 – Shane Jennings (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
20 – Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 – Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)

Both players have made big steps since making their first team debuts against Newcastle last season in the LV-= Cup. Currently on loan with Esher, Chisholm and Wallace are products of the Quins EPDG system and  the, ever more successful, Quins academy.

At only 20 years old Ross Chisholm has already  made 7 appearances (4 of them starts) for the Quins, scoring  three tries in that time. Although more accustomed to the full-back role, Chisholm can also play in the centres or on the wing if needed. Quick, with good handling skills and a talented kicker, Chisholm continues to put the pressure on full back, Mike Brown. He has also appeared for the England U18.

“I am delighted to have been offered the chance to continue my career at Quins, a club which is close to my heart having come through the school boy ranks. Quins play an exciting  brand of rugby and  I am looking forward to pushing for a first team spot”

Talented open-side flanker, Luke Wallace, is already pressurising the established Quins back row for a starting spot, after making his first competitive start for the club against Newcastle this season. Like Chisholm, Wallace has progressed through the EPDG system and has already made 7 appearances for the first team. A young player with a great work ethic, Wallace can seem to be everywhere on the pitch.

“I think the club is in the right place and I am really excited about the next few years with Harlequins. I want to continue to push Will Skinner and Chris Robshaw for the number 7 shirt but also to keep learning from him and all the senior players. It is such a positive environment and I am looking forward to the group pushing for silverware.”

Harlequins Academy Manager, Tony Diprose, says:

“Both Luke and Ross have already shown huge potential in the rugby opportunities they have had at a young age. They are a credit to their parents, school, teachers and coaches back in Sussex, in both their work ethic and attitude. I look forward to them emulating recent Academy graduates Joe Marler and George Lowe in establishing themselves as first team regulars.’

In the back line, only Simon Danielli retains the same position he played in the New Year’s Day derby against Munster at Thomond Park. While Paddy Wallace moves from out-half to inside centre, elsewhere it’s all change as D’Arcy replaces Smith at full-back, Trimble, rested last week, features on the right-wing, Nevin Spence is recalled to partner Wallace in the centre and Humphreys and Pienaar form the half-back partnership.

Up front Tom Court, another player rested last week as part of the player management programme and BJ Botha start in the front row with captain Rory Best. Johann Muller returns to action partnered by Tim Barker who retains his place from last week while Chris Henry and Pedrie Wannenburg start ahead of TJ Anderson and Robbie Diack in the back row.

Stephen Ferris is the notable inclusion on the bench having recovered from a leg injury sustained in training ahead of the December game against Bath at The Rec.

Ulster, who defeated Treviso 9-19 in the away fixture at the end of November, will be looking to get their Magners League campaign back on track after defeats to Leinster and Munster over the festive period, particularly with important games in Europe ahead. Benetton Treviso won both legs of their festive derbies against Aironi over the holiday period.

Gates open at 5.30pm and tickets for the match will be available to purchase on the gates.

Ulster (15-9) Adam D’Arcy; Andrew Trimble, Nevin Spence, Paddy Wallace, Simon Danielli; Ian Humphreys, Ruan Pienaar (1-8) Tom Court, Rory Best (Captain), BJ Botha, Johann Muller, Tim Barker, Chris Henry, Willie Faloon, Pedrie Wannenburg

Replacements (16-23) Nigel Brady, Bryan Young, Declan Fitzpatrick, Dan Tuohy, Stephen Ferris, Paul Marshall, Ian Whitten, David McIlwaine

Benetton Rugby will face Ulster tomorrow at Stadio Monigo in Round 9 of the Magners League.

The Treviso team will be back in action after the November international window and the defeat against Edinburgh in Murrayfield.

All eyes will be on Benetton’s new signing Willem De Waal. The South African played with Western Province in the Currie Cup final and will play as fly half. Kris Burton will be moved to fullback.

Andrea Pratichetti (on his birthday) and Enrico Ceccato will make their appearances in the team for the first time, while lock Valerio Bernabò will play as open side flanker.

Last but not least, Italian international winger Michele Sepe could make his debut in the green and white jersey, starting from the bench.

Here is the team chosen by head coach Franco Smith for the match:

15 Kristopher Burton
14 Ludovico Nitoglia
13 Andrea Pratichetti
12 Gonzalo Garcia
11 Joseph Maddock
10 Willem De Waal
9 Tobias Botes
8 Marco Filippucci
7 Valerio Bernabò
6 Francesco Minto
5 Corniel Van Zyl
4 Antonio Pavanello (captain)
3 Pedro Di Santo
2 Enrico Ceccato
1 Ignacio Fernandez Rouyet

Replacements:

16 Franco Sbaraglini
17 Matteo Muccignat
18 Augusto Allori
19 Enrico Pavanello
20 Gonzalo Padrò
21 Benjamin De Jager
22 Fabio Semenzato
23 Michele Sepe

Ulster team vs Treviso

Chris Henry will captain the Ulster team to play Treviso at the Stadio Mongio this Friday (26th November, KO 7.05 local time) and the line-up also includes Paddy Wallace who is a late release from the Irish Squad.

Two try hero Craig Gilroy retains his place on the wing while Darren Cave returns to the starting line-up having recovered from a hamstring injury. Cave’s partnership with Paddy Wallace means last week’s centre duo, Nevin Spence and Ian Whitten move to the bench. Otherwise the back-line is the same as that which defeated Cardiff 15-37 last Sunday.
Up front, Bryan Young replaces Paddy McAllister in the front row while injury to Johann Muller (neck) means that Tim Barker is called into the engine room alongside Dan Tuohy. Injury to Robbie Diack means that Chris Henry moves from openside to cover the No.8 position while Willie Faloon is drafted in on the flank.

Ulster: (15-9): Adam D’Arcy; Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, Simon Danielli; Ian Humphreys, Paul Marshall (1-8) Bryan Young, Nigel Brady, BJ Botha, Tim Barker, Dan Tuohy, Pedrie Wannenburg, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry (Captain)

Replacements (16-23): Andi Kyriacou, Paddy McAllister, Jerry Cronin, Neil McComb, Ali Birch, Ian Porter, Ian Whitten, Nevin Spence

Toner will be partnered by the experienced Donncha O’Callaghan and they will be supporting a new front row of Tom Court, Sean Cronin and John Hayes who are all selected to start.  Denis Leamy and Sean O’Brien are called into the backrow with Jamie Heaslip retaining the No.8 position.

Luke Fitzgerald makes the switch from wing to full back, with Andrew Trimble coming into the vacant left wing position.  Paddy Wallace comes into the team at inside centre to partner Captain Brian O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer come into the side as the new half back combination.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney will finalise the Replacements later this week.

Ireland Team (to play Samoa, Guinness Series 2010, Aviva Stadium, November 13th, 14:30)

15 – Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) Captain
12 – Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)
11 – Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
10 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
9 – Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster)
1 – Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
2 – Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)
3 – John Hayes (Bruff/Munster)
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 – Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
6 – Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)
7 – Sean O’Brien (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

To Be Confirmed

*Denotes Uncapped Player

Luke Fitzgerald starts his first international in nearly a year since playing in the Australia game last November and is named on the left wing, with Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney making up the other back three positions.

Eoin Reddan has been given the starting berth at scrum half and Rory Best will start at hooker after missing the summer tour due to an ankle injury.  Best will pack down in the front row with Tony Buckley and Cian Healy at tight and loose head respectively, both of whom started the last international against Australia.

Donncha O’Callaghan and Mick O’Driscoll also both started the game in June against Australia and will again be the second row partnership for this game.  Both Stephen Ferris and David Wallace are named in the back row alongside Jamie Heaslip.

The final replacement spot will be decided later in the week with Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble and Keith Earls all in the frame.

Ireland Team (to play South Africa, Guinness Series 2010, Aviva Stadium, November 6th, 17:30)

15 – Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) Captain
12 – Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 – Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrcok College/Leinster)
10 – Jonathan Sexton (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
9 – Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
1 – Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 – Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 – Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 – Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)
6 – Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 – David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)
8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 – Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)
17 – Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 – Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
19 – Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)
20 – Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster)
21 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 – Keith Earls (Thomond/Munster) / Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) / Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)

Up front there are four changes of personnel and one positional switch. Tom Court and Chris Henry make their first Ulster starts having toured with Ireland in the summer while Rory Best and Stephen Ferris are rested as part of the IRFU’s player management programme.

Court comes into the starting line-up at the expense of Bryan Young who drops to the bench while Nigel Brady assumes the hooker berth with Andi Kyriacou providing cover.

The second row pairing of Muller, who will captain the side, and Barker is unchanged while in the back row, Pedrie Wannenburg makes a positional switch from No8 to the blind side flank to cover for the rested Ferris, Willie Faloon moves to the bench to make way for Chris Henry at openside while Robbie Diack, who was one of last week’s replacements, starts at No8.

Amongst the backs, McLaughlin has kept faith with is young back three of D’Arcy, Seymour and McIlwaine while Darren Cave has a new centre partner in Paddy Wallace, another Ireland tourist making a first start as Ian Whitten drops to the bench. Niall O’Connor and Paul Marshall start again in the halfback positions.

The other notable change is amongst the replacements, with Jamie Smith coming in for Jonny Shiels having recovered from injury (eye) sustained in the opening friendly against Bath at Ravenhill.

Ulster (15-9): Adam D’Arcy; Tommy Seymour, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, David McIlwaine; Niall O’Connor, Paul Marshall (1-8) Tom Court, Nigel Brady, Declan Fitzpatrick, Johann Muller (Captain), Tim Barker, Pedrie Wannenburg, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack

Replacements: Andi Kyriacou, Bryan Young, Paddy McAllister, Ryan Caldwell, Willie Faloon, Ian Porter, Ian Whitten, Jamie Smith

A vacancy has been left blindside flanker pending confirmation of the fitness of Stephen Ferris. Both players took part in training with the Ireland team today but a final decision will be made on Thursday. The seven replacements will also be finalised on Thursday from the possible nine players named today.

Ireland Team & Replacements (v France, Stade De France, Saturday 13 February 2010, k.o. 16:30 gmt)

15 – Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
12 – Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 – Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
10 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
9 – Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin/Munster)

1 – Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 – Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
3 – John Hayes (Bruff/Munster)
4 – Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster)
5 – Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
6 – A.N.Other
7 – David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)
8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
Sean O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
Kevin McLaughlin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster
Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)