Match Previews

Ulster ready for the visit of the Bulls in Belfast

27th October 2023
Head Coach, Dan McFarland, has named his side for Ulster’s first home fixture of the BKT United Rugby Championship 2023/24 campaign against the Vodacom Bulls.

Ulster kicked off their season with a bonus-point 36-40 victory in Italy, beating Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

Stalwart lock, Alan O’Connor, returns to the side to captain the Ulster men on their first run out in front of home supporters on the new 3G pitch at Kingspan Stadium.

In the front row, the province’s long-serving Ballymena prop, Andy Warwick, starts at loosehead, where he is joined by Ireland internationals Tom Stewart at hooker, and Tom O’Toole at tighthead, who returns from duty with the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad.

O’Connor is joined in the second row by Ireland international, Kieran Treadwell, who hopes to pick up where he left off after being awarded the BKT URC Player of the March award last weekend against Zebre Parma.

In a formidable back-row, Dave Ewers makes his home debut after joining the province from Exeter Chiefs earlier this summer. Dave McCann starts as the openside flanker and Nick Timoney gets the nod at number eight, making his 99th appearance for the province.

The half-back partnership is a familiar one, as scrum-half Nathan Doak is joined by the experienced Billy Burns at ten, who returns to the starting line-up, after coming on as a replacement last weekend in Italy.  

In a youthful centre partnership formed in the Ulster Rugby Academy, Jude Postlethwaite makes his first start at Kingspan Stadium, alongside James Hume in the engine room of Ulster’s backfield.

Fresh from scoring two tries in the opening weekend win, Jacob Stockdale, will hope to continue his fine start to the season as he retains his position on Ulster’s left wing.

On the other side, Rob Baloucoune, returns to the starting line-up after missing last weekend’s away win. The Enniskillen speed merchant will be hoping to continue his history with the Vodacom Bulls, after scoring a trademark finish in the 32-23 win back in March in front of a home crowd.

Will Addison marks a landmark personal moment, as gets ready to play at Kingspan Stadium for the first time since 2021, starting at full-back.

McFarland opts for a 5:3 split on the bench as John Andrew, Callum Reid, Greg McGrath, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Stewart Moore and Mike Lowry form the replacement options.

Ulster v Vodacom Bulls, Sunday 29 October, KO 5pm, Kingspan Stadium, live on BBC NI, TG4, Viaplay and URC.tv

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(1-8) Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (C), Kieran Treadwell, Dave Ewers, Dave McCann, Nick Timoney;

 (15-9) Will Addison, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak.

 Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Reid, Greg McGrath, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Stewart Moore, Mike Lowry.

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