With the Ireland internationals, involved in the historic series-winning tour of New Zealand over the summer, making a return to the Ulster jersey, the province will be looking to make a statement when they travel to face former Ulster Attack Coach Dwayne Peel’s side in Round 2 of the BKT URC.
The Ulster men will also be wearing the new 2022/23 alternate kit for the first time, which was launched earlier this week.
The Scarlets, who drew against Welsh rival Ospreys in their season opener, will be hoping to avenge the bonus-point win that Ulster secured over them in Belfast when the two teams last faced each other.
On the fixture, Ulster’s new Defence Coach, Jonny Bell, said:
“Scarlets is going to be a different game this week in many ways. They are a team that like to play a bit of rugby and, with Dwayne Peel knowing the Ulster squad inside and out, I have no doubt that he’ll have something up his sleeve.
“We need to be on our mettle against a very good side, and it’s going to be a challenge for us defensively, but that’s what we want.”
Sexton to make first Ulster start
Making his return from scoring a match-defining try in the final Test against New Zealand, Rob Herring will take his place in the front row this week alongside Andy Warwick, with 157 Ulster caps to his name, and tighthead prop, Marty Moore, who Head Coach, Dan McFarland, described as “one of the top scrummagers around in Ireland” in last week’s post-match media.
Joining captain, Alan O’Connor, in the engine room is Kieran Treadwell, who will be looking to bring what he’s learnt in the green jersey onto the pitch in this year’s BKT URC season.
Brothers, Matty Rea and Marcus Rea, retain their starting spots in the back row, and will this week play alongside returning, Nick Timoney, who has impressed on an international stage since scoring a try against the USA in his Ireland debut last summer.
Ulster Rugby Academy graduate, Aaron Sexton, will make his first start for the province, as Michael Lowry is in action again at full-back, alongside Jacob Stockdale in the back three.
Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall, who combined so impressively for the first try last weekend, are retained in midfield.
Completing the starting XV for this week are the familiar pairing of John Cooney and Billy Burns at scrum-half and fly-half respectively.
Back-row Sean Reffell, who joined during the summer, is set to earn his first Ulster cap off the bench. Declan Moore, Eric O’Sullivan, Sam Carter and returning Tom O’Toole complete the forward cover, while backs Dave Shanahan, Angus Curtis and Craig Gilroy are also included in the replacements.
Ulster team to play Scarlets, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 2, Saturday 24 September at Parc y Scarlets (KO 1pm), live on Premier Sports and URC.tv.
(15-9): Michael Lowry, Aaron Sexton, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney;
(1-8): Andy Warwick, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: Declan Moore, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Sean Reffell, Dave Shanahan, Angus Curtis, Craig Gilroy.
The Opposition...
📢 Here's your Scarlets 23 to take on @UlsterRugby on Saturday (1pm)
— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) September 23, 2022
👊 Josh returns
🔄 Changes in back 3
✅ Luca & SOC set for #URC debuts
Dyma eich tîm i wynebu Ulster ar Ddydd Sadwrn ym Mharc y Scarlets
🔗 https://t.co/Yj40EyfT3S#SCAvULS #YmaOHyd #BKTURC pic.twitter.com/gAD0y4jsUX