RICHIE MURPHY HAS made his first team selection as Ulster’s interim head coach, and has opted for a 6:2 bench split, for the province’s URC match against the Sharks at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park stadium (KO 1pm: Viaplay, urc.tv, BBC Radio Ulster).

Iain Henderson captains the side on his return from Ireland’s Six Nations campaign, as he lines-up at lock alongside Kieran Treadwell, who starts for the first time since sustaining a rib injury against Harlequins in January.

In the front row, Murphy selects Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff, hooker Tom Stewart and tighthead prop Tom O’Toole.

Your Ulster team to face @SharksRugby in Durban tomorrow afternoon 👊🇿🇦

Watch live on @ViaplaySportsUK pic.twitter.com/CJnFsEOsQN

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) March 22, 2024

Harry Sheridan starts at blindside flanker, with David McCann starting on the openside. Nick Timoney plays at No 8 to complete the back row.

John Cooney and Munster-bound Billy Burns form the half-back partnership.

Mike Lowry and Ethan McIlroy start on the left and right wings.

Stuart McCloskey returns to the team’s starting line-up after his Ireland duties as he pairs up with James Hume, who captained his province for their win against Dragons.

Will Addison completes the starting XV at full-back.

Murphy opts for a bench with a 6:2 split.

John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea and Sean Reffell provide forwards options, while Nathan Doak, Jude Postlethwaite cover back options.

Ulster:  

• 15 Will Addison
• 14 Ethan McIlroy
• 13 James Hume
• 12 Stuart McCloskey
• 11 Mike Lowry
• 10 Billy Burns
• 9 John Cooney

• 1 Steven Kitshoff
• 2 Tom Stewart
• 3 Tom O’Toole
• 4 Kieran Treadwell
• 5 Iain Henderson (capt)
• 6 Harry Sheridan
• 7 David McCann
• 8 Nick Timoney

Subs: 

• John Andrew 
• Andrew Warwick
• Scott Wilson
• Cormac Izuchukwu
• Matty Rea
• Nathan Doak
• Jude Postlethwaite
• Sean Reffell

Sharks: 

• 15 Aphelele Fassi,
• 14 Eduan Keyter
• 13 Lukhanyo Am (capt)
• 12 Ethan Hooker
• 11 Makazole Mapimpi
• 10 Siya Masuka
• 9 Jaden Hendrikse

• 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu
• 2. Bongi Mbonambi
• 3. Hanro Jacobs
• 4. Eben Etzebeth
• 5. Gerbrandt Grobler
• 6. Phepsi Buthelezi
• 7. Vincent Tshituka
• 8. George Cronje

Subs: 

• Kerron van Vuuren
• Ox Nche
• Vincent Koch
• Corne Rahl
• Jeandre Labuschagne
• Cameron Wright
• Curwin Bosch
• Francois Venter

Ref: Ben Whitehouse