Ulster Rugby Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster matchday squad to face Zebre Parma tomorrow in Round 1 of the EPCR Challenge Cup at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi. (KO: 3.15pm IRL / UK time)
Finalists in last year’s Challenge Cup, the province are set to kick off their Pool 1 group stage against the Italian side in Parma.
Back Rower, David McCann, leads the starting team out for the first time as captain.
Development hooker, Henry Walker, makes his first senior competitive start, while there is a senior Ulster debut for Daniel Hawkshaw in the midfield.
In the front row, Ireland international prop, Tom O’Toole, makes his first start of the season at loosehead, with hooker Walker and Keynan Knox at tighthead prop.
Lock Harry Sheridan makes his first start this season alongside Ireland international forward Cormac Izuchukwu in the second row.
Academy forward, James McKillop, makes his European debut at blindside flanker, with captain McCann at blindside flanker. South African number eight Juarno Augustus completes the forward pack.
Ireland international scrum-half, Nathan Doak, pairs up with Jamie Benson at fly-half for the first time.
In the midfield, the versatile Jake Flannery starts at inside centre, alongside debutant Daniel Hawkshaw at outside centre.
Zac Ward returns to start on the left wing this weekend, with Ireland internationals Robert Baloucoune on the right wing, and Jacob Stockdale starting at full-back.
Stockdale marked his 150th cap last week against Munster with two tries.
Murphy names a 5:3 split among the replacements; with prop Scott Wilson and forward Joe Hopes in line for their first appearances this season.
Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Wilson, Hopes and Martin Moloney are the forward cover options, with Matthew Devine, Jack Murphy and Michael Lowry hoping to add attacking impact.
Zebre Parma v Ulster Rugby, Saturday 17th October, 3.15pm, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, EPCR Challenge Cup, Round 1 (Live on EPCR TV)
(Ulster appearances in brackets)
1. Tom O’Toole (143)
2. Henry Walker (3)
3. Keynan Knox (3)
4. Harry Sheridan (62)
5. Cormac Izuchukwu (57)
6. James McKilllop (3)
7. David McCann (C) (93)
8. Juarno Augustus (19)
9. Nathan Doak (112)
10. Jamie Benson (3)
11. Zac Ward (32)
12. Jake Flannery (43)
13. Daniel Hawkshaw
14. Robert Baloucoune (81)
15. Jacob Stockdale (150)
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (78)
17. Eric O’Sullivan (141)
18. Scott Wilson (57)
19. Joe Hopes (12)
20. Martin Moloney (1)
21. Matthew Devine (3)
22. Jack Murphy (38)
23. Michael Lowry (137)