Ulster Rugby Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his first Ulster matchday squad of the new season, kicking the URC campaign off against Edinburgh at home tomorrow night. (KO: 7.45pm)
Michael Lowry captains the team tomorrow night that features eight players in the matchday squad who are in line for their competitive Ulster debuts.
Five new summer signings are handed their first starts.
Richie Murphy is able to call upon two key attackers who were involved in Ireland camp over the summer, with wing Robert Baloucoune back in the starting line-up, and last season’s top try scorer, Zac Ward, named among the replacements.
After missing the entirety of last season following a long-term knee injury, James McNabney, makes his competitive return, starting at number eight.
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Team News
In the front row, Eric O’Sullivan starts at loosehead prop, with James McCormick at hooker and Argentine debutant Eduardo Bello starting at tighthead.
In a new-look second row pairing, new signings Eli Snyman and Ben Donnell are the starting locks.
In the back row, there is a debut for former Exeter Chiefs forward, Martin Moloney, who gets the nod at openside flanker. David McCann starts on the blindside at six, while McNabney makes his welcome return at eight.
Conor McKee starts at nine alongside Jack Murphy at fly-half, forming the half-back partnership.
New signing Jamie Benson makes his competitive Ulster debut at inside centre, with Ben Carson partnering the former Harlequins back in the midfield.
Murphy selects attacking pace on both wings, with Baloucoune bringing his international quality on the right wing, and Development back, Aitzol Arenzana-King, starting on the left.
Arenzana-King showed his exciting potential in Ulster’s two pre-season matches, scoring four tries across the two fixtures against Edinburgh and Ospreys earlier this month.
After his Player of the Match performance against Ospreys two weeks ago to cap off pre-season, captain Michael Lowry starts at full-back.
The Head Coach opts for a 5:3 split among the replacements, with three in line for their competitive debuts.
Development hooker Henry Walker, prop Keynan Knox and scrum-half Matthew Devine are named in a youthful bench that features two Academy talents.
Walker, Tom McAllister, Knox, Harry Sheridan and James McKillop are the forward options, while Devine, Jake Flannery and Zac Ward are the backline reinforcements.
Ulster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 1, Friday 25th September 2026, 7.45pm, Affidea Stadium (Live on Premier Sports, URC.tv)
*Ulster appearances in brackets
1. Eric O’Sullivan (138)
2. James McCormick (20)
3. Eduardo Bello
4. Eli Snyman
5. Ben Donnell
6. David McCann (90)
7. Martin Moloney
8. James McNabney (20)
9. Conor McKee (22)
10. Jack Murphy (35)
11. Aitzol Arenzana-King (1)
12. Jamie Benson
13. Ben Carson (20)
14. Robert Baloucoune (79)
15. Michael Lowry (Capt) (136)
Replacements:
16. Henry Walker
17. Tom McAllister (5)
18. Keynan Knox
19. Harry Sheridan (62)
20. James McKillop (1)
21. Matthew Devine
22. Jake Flannery (41)
23. Zac Ward (30)