Match Previews

Ulster ready for Dragons

13th April 2023
Ulster Rugby go into Round 17 of the BKT United Rugby Championship looking to make it four wins in succession as they continue to build momentum towards the end of the season.

Dan McFarland’s men fared well against Welsh opposition recently, winning away against Cardiff Rugby and will hope to continue their strong home form.

The Ulster side go into Friday's game sitting third in the URC standings and are already guaranteed a top four spot - and therefore a home quarter-final on the weekend of 5/6 May. However, they will be continuing to push for a top two spot that would secure home advantage through to the semi-finals.

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Second place is currently occupied by the DHL Stormers, just two points ahead of Ulster, who will be hoping interprovincial counterparts Munster will do them a favour when they take on the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday evening.

The Dragons have had a difficult campaign this year, sitting in 15th position in the league, with just three wins from 16 outings.

Ulster Skills Coach, Craig Newby, talked to the press earlier this week and noted that the Dragons are a dangerous test for Ulster despite their form:

"The Dragons come here with nothing to lose, we have reviewed them and have looked at areas we need to tidy up on. We play better when we are at home and we have to focus on winning these two games and our quarter-final.”

Al O’Connor to captain Ulster men

Leading the front row against the Welsh side is loosehead prop Eric O’Sullivan, who signed a new 1-year deal with the province last week. O’Sullivan is joined by hooker Tom Stewart, who scored a hat trick of tries in Ulster’s last BKT URC match against Vodacom Bulls. Grand Slam winner Tom O’Toole gets the nod at tighthead after coming back to the Ulster side for the recent Heineken Champions Cup fixture against interprovincial rivals Leinster.

Starting in the second row is Ulster captain Alan O’Connor, who is joined by Wallaby Sam Carter at right lock.

Ulster Rugby Academy graduate David McCann is given the nod at flanker, after the Belfast man committed his future to the province with a new two-year deal keeping him with the club until 2025.

McCann is joined by Marcus Rea who returns to the starting 15. Rea had the most turnovers in the URC last season and will hope to make his impact felt.

World Cup winning Springbok, Duane Vermeulen, keeps his place at number 8 for the province.

Fresh from committing his future to Ulster last week, our leading points scorer this season, John Cooney, starts at scrum-half, alongside the experienced fly half Billy Burns.

The midfield has a familiar partnership as James Hume and Stuart McCloskey pair up in the centre for Ulster.

The back line is changed as Ulster welcome back long-serving winger Craig Gilroy into the starting XV. Gilroy is joined in the back line by Jacob Stockdale, who also signed a new deal last week keeping him with the province till 2025.

Stockdale scored a trademark chip and chase try against Welsh opposition in Cardiff and will be hoping to continue that form this week. Mike Lowry keeps his place at full back.

Dan McFarland has opted for mixture of experience and youth on his bench with a five-three split.

The experienced pairing of hooker John Andrew and prop Andy Warwick, who both secured their futures with Ulster until 2025, and Jeffery Toomaga Allen provide front row options for Dan McFarland.

Kieran Treadwell and Nick Timoney are the other forward options for the match, with Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, who is on point to mark his 50th cap with Ulster, and Ethan McIlroy providing the back options at McFarland’s disposal.

Ulster side to face Dragons RFC, Round 17 BKT United Rugby Championship, Friday 14 March at Kingspan Stadium (KO 7.35pm), live on ViaPlay and URC.tv.

(15-9) Mike Lowry, Craig Gilroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Sam Carter, David McCann, Marcus Rea, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements:

John Andrew, Andy Warwick, Jeffery Toomaga Allen, Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, Ethan McIlroy.

Players unavailable for selection: Rory Sutherland, Callum Reid, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Iain Henderson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, Ben Moxham, Shea O’Brien, Rob Baloucoune, Will Addison.

The Opposition