News

Ulster ready to take on Stormers in Cape Town

29th March 2024
Ulster Rugby Interim Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his team for Ulster’s second match of the club’s South Africa tour, as they take on DHL Stormers in Round 13 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Ulster will be aiming to end their time in South Africa with a positive result, after suffering a 22-12 away defeat to the Sharks in Durban last weekend.

Club captain, Iain Henderson, misses out due to illness this week.

Hooker, Rob Herring will lead the side as captain in Cape Town.

Joining him in the front row, World Cup-winning Springbok, Steven Kitshoff, returns to the DHL Stadium to face his former team, and Tom O’Toole starts at tighthead prop.

The second row sees Harry Sheridan and Kieran Treadwell start as the lock pairing, a week after both men scored tries in Durban.

In the back row, Matty Rea, starts as the blindside flanker, with David McCann and Nick Timoney retaining their places in the team at openside flanker and eight from last weekend.

John Cooney starts at scrum-half and is joined by Nathan Doak at ten to form the half-back partnership.

Ethan McIlroy starts on the left wing, with Rob Baloucoune returning to the starting line-up at right wing.

Stuart McCloskey and James Hume retain their partnership in the centre positions, and Mike Lowry completes the backfield at full-back.

Tom Stewart, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Jake Flannery, Stewart Moore provide the replacement options from the bench.

DHL Stormers v Ulster Rugby, Saturday 30 March, DHL Stadium, Round 13 BKT United Rugby Championship, KO: 5 15pm (live on Viaplay, URC.tv and BBC Radio Ulster).

(15-9) Mike Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Ethan McIlroy, Nathan Doak, John Cooney;

(1-8) Steven Kitshoff, Rob Herring(C), Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Jake Flannery, Stewart Moore

The Opposition