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Ulster ready for clash against Connacht

22nd December 2022
Dan McFarland’s men will be looking to get back to winning ways as they face Interpro rivals, Connacht, this Friday (KO 7 35pm) at The Sportsground.

Since kicking-off their BKT United Rugby Championship season with a bonus point win over Connacht at Kingspan Stadium, the Ulster men have had their highs and lows when it comes to facing the other Irish provinces.

Looking to put in a repeat performance of the last time out in Galway, which saw Ulster come away with a 32-19 derby victory, Assistant Coach, Dan Soper, knows a contest lies ahead:

“This game was always going to be a big challenge. Connacht have found a rich vein of form of late, and it will be our first time at The Sportsground on the new surface.

“We don’t have any option other than to face up to it. It’s an Interpro, and we’ve had some really tough battles against Connacht. I expect this week to be exactly the same.”  

Cooney and Doak ready to go into battle together 

In a combo which had its debut in last weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup game, 21-year-old Nathan Doak is named at fly half alongside this week’s scrum half, John Cooney. Cooney was announced yesterday as the winner of The Difference Maker award by URC in its inaugural Unity Awards to recognise his contribution to Belfast Central Mission’s befriending service over the past five years.

In an unchanged back three, Ulster born and bred Rob Lyttle, Ethan McIlroy and Mike Lowry are named. Luke Marshall, who scored the first try of this season in the opener against Connacht, is named in the centre alongside Stuart McCloskey.

British and Irish Lion, Rory Sutherland, retains his started position at loosehead prop, and is paired with Marty Moore at tighthead. Ulster Rugby Academy graduate Tom Stewart, who has come a long way since making his first competitive start when the province last faced Connacht with 20 points scored across the 200 minutes he has played, completes the front row.

Iain Henderson will captain the side from the second row alongside another leader in the squad, Alan O’Connor. Nick Timoney, responsible for a try when Ulster were last in Galway, lines out at number eight, with flankers David McCann and Marcus Rea completing the pack.

Providing the forward cover will be John Andrew, Eric O'Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Sam Carter, and Greg Jones. Stewart Moore, who contributed to last week’s try total, is named alongside Dave Shanahan and Jake Flannery on the backline bench.

Ulster team to play Connacht, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 10, Friday 23 December at The Sportsground (KO 7 35pm), live on RTÉ, Viaplay and URC.tv.

(15-9): Mike Lowry, Ethan McIlroy, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Lyttle, Nathan Doak, John Cooney;

(1-8): Rory Sutherland; Tom Stewart; Marty Moore; Alan O'Connor; Iain Henderson (Captain); David McCann; Marcus Rea; Nick Timoney.

Replacements: John Andrew; Eric O'Sullivan; Gareth Milasinovich; Sam Carter; Greg Jones; Dave Shanahan; Jake Flannery; Stewart Moore.  

The Opposition