In a season which has showcased the depth of the province’s squad with 46 Senior Men’s players having already featured on a teamsheet in the opening six rounds, the most of any club in the league, those getting the call-up for Round 7 are a blend of experience and youth.
Leading the Ulster men out in front of a home crowd is Ulster stalwart, Alan O’Connor, who is joined in the second row by Ireland international, Kieran Treadwell.
Twice-crowned Rugby World Cup winner, Steven Kitshoff, will get his first run out in front of a Kingspan Stadium crowd, alongside last season’s URC’s Top Try Scorer award-winner, Tom Stewart, and Tom O’Toole, in the front row - with both young players having been involved in Andy Farrell’s international campaign over the summer.
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The number 8 jersey belongs to James McNabney, who made his debut last weekend, as one of 12 players to secure their first cap for the province so far in the 2023/24 season, with eight of the young talent having come through the Ulster Rugby pathway. He is supported by Matty Rea and Nick Timoney in the back row.
Scrum half, John Cooney, hit an impressive milestone last weekend at Scotstoun Stadium, and can now claim 1000 points for Ulster to his name, with Billy Burns, who he is paired with tomorrow night, having hit his 100th cap for the province last time out.
In a similarly familiar partnership, Stuart McCloskey is named at inside centre with James Hume at 13.
Will Addison is named at full back, with Jacob Stockdale and Rob Baloucoune on the wings completing the starting line-up.
On the bench, the forward replacements are John Andrew, Andy Warwick, Marty Moore, Cormac Izuchukwu and Dave Ewers. Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore and Ben Moxham make up the other options for the backs.
Ulster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby, Saturday 2 December, 5 15pm, Kingspan Stadium, Round 7 BKT United Rugby Championship, live on Viaplay and URC.tv.
(15-9): Will Addison, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney;
(1-8): Steven Kitshoff, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (C), Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, Nick Timoney, James McNabney.
Replacements: John Andrew, Andy Warwick, Marty Moore, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave Ewers, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham.
The Opposition
🏰🔵 Your Edinburgh Rugby team to face Ulster at Kingspan Stadium tomorrow night!@URCOfficial | #BKTURC pic.twitter.com/M1W2I7j7dq
— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) December 1, 2023