In a welcome boost, club captain Iain Henderson returns from injury to lead the team from the second row, with Ethan McIlroy also returning to make his first Ulster appearance since October. The front row sees one change from December’s BKT United Rugby Championship victory against Connacht, as Andrew Warwick starts at loosehead prop, alongside hooker, John Andrew, and Scott Wilson at tighthead prop. Fellow Irish international Cormac Izuchukwu joins the skipper, Henderson, in the second-row pairing. In the back-row, James McNabney starts at blindside flanker, with Nick Timoney retaining his spot at openside after his Player of the Match display against Connacht. David McCann gets the nod in the eight jersey. The half-back pairing sees one change, as scrum-half, Nathan Doak, joins New Zealander, Aidan Morgan, who returns to the starting line-up at fly-half. The midfield partnership remains the same, as Jude Postlethwaite and Ben Carson retain their positions at inside and outside centre respectively. Zac Ward returns to the starting XV on the left wing, with Werner Kok taking up the right-wing berth, and McIlroy completing the XV at full-back. Murphy opts for a 5:3 split on the bench, with James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Kieran Treadwell and Harry Sheridan providing the forward replacements, and John Cooney, Jack Murphy and Rory Telfer the backline options. #### **Leicester Tigers v Ulster Rugby, Saturday 11 January, 8pm, Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, Investec Champions Cup (Live on Premier Sports and BBC Sounds)** 15\. Ethan McIlroy (67)
14. Werner Kok (11)
13. Ben Carson (8)
12. Jude Postlethwaite (21)
11. Zac Ward (2)
10. Aidan Morgan (10)
9. Nathan Doak (77) 1\. Andrew Warwick (205)
2. John Andrew (128)
3. Scott Wilson (23)
4. Iain Henderson (Capt) (159)
5. Cormac Izuchukwu (35)
6. James McNabney (10)
7. Nick Timoney (155)
8. David McCann (56) Replacements:
16. James McCormick (9)
17. Eric O’Sullivan (125)
18. Corrie Barrett (6)
19. Kieran Treadwell (168)
20. Harry Sheridan (36)
21. John Cooney (147)
22. Jack Murphy (2)
23. Rory Telfer (3)

Report | Ulster 36 Zebre 15

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