Match Previews

Ulster ready to kick-off pre-season against Benetton

6th September 2024
Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster team for tomorrow’s Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly against Benetton at Kingspan Stadium (KO 5pm).

Full-back, Mike Lowry, captains the Ulster team for tomorrow’s pre-season opener.

Eric O’Sullivan and John Andrew start in the front row, alongside tighthead prop, Corrie Barrett, who has been training with the Senior Men’s squad over pre-season on a trial basis.

The 26-year-old has previously been involved in Ulster age-grade teams and spent last season playing for Doncaster Knights in the RFU Championship.

Last season’s Young Player of the Year, Harry Sheridan, starts in the second row, with fellow lock, Kieran Treadwell.

Packing down in the back row, Development talent, James McNabney, starts on the blindside, with Sean Reffell at openside flanker. Last season’s Bank of Ireland Men’s Player of the Year, David McCann, starts at eight.

In a new half-back pairing, scrum-half, Nathan Doak, starts alongside Kiwi fly-half, Aidan Morgan, who makes his first appearance in an Ulster jersey after joining from the Hurricanes earlier this summer.

Jude Postlethwaite and Stewart Moore form the centre pairing, with Aaron Sexton and Academy player, Rory Telfer, completing the back field on the left and right wings.

With a bench primed for rotation, fifteen players are named on the bench, with a mixture of Academy, Development and Senior squad talent named.

The Ulster Rugby Academy is represented by Henry Walker, Charlie Irvine, James McKillop, Tom Brigg and Jack Murphy.

Development players, James McCormick, Scott Wilson, and James Humphreys are named amongst the replacements alongside Senior players, Callum Reid, Alan O’Connor, Marcus Rea, David Shanahan, Conor McKee and Ben Carson.

Trialist and Ireland Sevens star, Zac Ward, will be hoping to make an appearance after joining the squad earlier this summer.

Ulster Rugby v Benetton Rugby, Saturday 7 September, Bank of Ireland Pre-Season Friendly, Kingspan Stadium (streamed on Ulster Rugby Live)

(15-9) Mike Lowry (C), Rory Telfer, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Aaron Sexton, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Corrie Barrett\*, Harry Sheridan, Kieran Treadwell, James McNabney, Sean Reffell, David McCann .

Replacements:

Forwards

James McCormick, Henry Walker, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Charlie Irvine, James McKillop, Alan O’Connor, Tom Brigg, Marcus Rea.

Backs

David Shanahan, Conor McKee, Zac Ward, James Humphreys, Ben Carson, Jack Murphy.

Our opposition