ULSTER WILL WELCOME back trio James Hume, Jacob Stockdale, and Stuart McCloskey for Friday’s friendly match [KO 7:35pm] with Super Rugby side Queensland Reds at the Kingspan Stadium. 

All three have been named to start Friday’s game, having been sidelined with injury. Hume is back following recovery from an ACL injury sustained last season, while Stockdale has not played since being injured in Ireland’s Autumn international against Fiji. 

McCloskey, meanwhile, has not played since December’s Champions Cup clash against Bordeaux. 

Richie Murphy’s starting team for Friday’s clash blends such experience with youth: 23-year-old Conor McKee, who has been impressing for Ballynahinch in Division 1A of the All Ireland League, will start at scrum-half, with Aidan Morgan alongside him at fly-half.

Joining Stockdale in the back three are Ireland Sevens star Zac Ward on the right-wing and Jake Flannery at full-back.

Ulster (vs Queensland Reds) 

1. Andrew Warwick

2. Tom Stewart

3. Corrie Barrett

4. Alan O’Connor (Capt.)

5. Matthew Dalton

6. Matty Rea

7. Lorcan McLoughlin

8. David McCann

9. Conor McKee

10. Aidan Morgan

11. Jacob Stockdale

12. Stuart McCloskey

13. James Hume

14. Zac Ward

15. Jake Flannery

Replacements: James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Bryan O’Connor, Harry Sheridan, Tom Brigg, David Shanahan, James Humphreys, Wilhelm De Klerk, Jacob Boyd, Reuben Crothers, Michael Lowry, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Stewart Moore, Michael McDonald, Kieran Treadwell.