Ulster Rugby Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster matchday squad for Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship Round 3 fixture against provincial rivals, Munster Rugby, at Affidea Stadium. (KO: 5.30pm)
There are seven personnel changes to the line-up from last week, as the province welcome back three Ireland internationals into the squad this weekend. Nick Timoney and Stuart McCloskey start, while Tom O’Toole is among the replacements.
Match Tickets
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Team News
The front row remains unchanged from last week’s Round 2 draw against Glasgow Warriors. Loosehead prop, Eric O’Sullivan, hooker Tom Stewart and tighthead prop Keynan Knox all keep their places.
Stewart captains the team once again this week.
In a new look second row, Ben Donnell starts alongside Eli Snyman.
There are wholesale changes to the back row, with Ireland internationals Cormac Izuchukwu and Nick Timoney starting at blindside flanker and openside flanker respectively. South African number eight, Juarno Augustus, makes his first start of the season after a try-scoring cameo from the bench against Glasgow Warriors.
Irish international scrum-half Nathan Doak makes his first start of the season, joining fly-half Jack Murphy in the half-back partnership.
Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey makes his return at twelve, partnering Jamie Benson at outside centre.
McCloskey is in line for his 218th appearance in an Ulster jersey, equalling that of former captain Rory Best and moving him to joint-third in the most senior appearances in Ulster Rugby history.
In the back three, Irish international Jacob Stockdale is in line for his 150th Ulster cap after missing last weekend’s match due to a hip injury.
Stockdale starts on the left wing, with Ireland wing Robert Baloucoune back on the right wing.
Last weekend’s BKT URC Player of the Match, Ethan McIlroy, starts at full-back, completing the starting XV.
Murphy opts for a 5:3 split among the replacements, with Henry Walker, Tom O’Toole, Tom McAllister, James McNabney and David McCann the forward replacements.
Matthew Devine, Jake Flannery and Chay Mullins are the backline options.
Ulster Rugby v Munster Rugby, Saturday 10th October, BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 3, 5.30pm, Affidea Stadium (Live on Premier Sports 1, URC.tv)
(Ulster Appearances in brackets)
1. Eric O’Sullivan (140)
2. Tom Stewart (77) (C)
3. Keynan Knox (2)
4. Ben Donnell (1)
5. Eli Snyman (2)
6. Cormac Izuchukwu (56)
7. Nick Timoney (184)
8. Juarno Augustus (18)
9. Nathan Doak (111)
10. Jack Murphy (37)
11. Jacob Stockdale (149)
12. Stuart McCloskey (217)
13. Jamie Benson (2)
14. Robert Baloucoune (80)
15. Ethan McIlroy (79)
Replacements:
16. Henry Walker (2)
17. Tom O’Toole (142)
18. Tom McAllister (7)
19. James McNabney (22)
20. David McCann (92)
21. Matthew Devine (2)
22. Jake Flannery (43)
23. Chay Mullins (1)