RICHIE MURPHY HAS shuffled his deck for Ulster’s URC visit to the Lions in Johannesburg tomorrow (Premier Sports 1, 11:55am Irish time).
Murphy has made eight changes to the starting lineup that contributed to last Saturday’s victory over champions Glasgow, with John Cooney returning from injury and new signing Werner Kok earning a first start on the wing.
Cooney partners Aidan Morgan at half-back with Nathan Doak beginning on the bench, meaning last weekend’s match-winner Dave Shanahan misses out.
Kok replaces Mike Lowry on the right wing, with the versatile Lowry covering the backs alongside Doak in a 6-2 bench split.
Ireland international Stuart McCloskey returns at inside centre with former Ireland U20 Jude Postlethwaite on Emerging Ireland duty.
There are five changes to Ulster’s pack, with Iain Henderson set for an impact role as a replacement and Alan O’Connor captaining the side from the engine room.
Andrew Warwick and Tom O’Toole come in at loosehead and tighthead respectively, replacing Eric O’Sullivan and Corrie Barrett, with John Andrew continuing at hooker.
Only Nick Timoney starts from last week’s back row. He’s complemented by Matty Rea at blindside and Sean Refell at openside, while James McNabney and try-scorer Dave McCann are among Ulster’s six forward substitutes.
Ulster
15. Ethan McIlroy
14. Werner Kok
13. Stewart Moore
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Aidan Morgan
9. John Cooney
1. Andrew Warwick
2. John Andrew
3. Tom O’Toole
4. Kieran Treadwell
5. Alan O’Connor (Captain)
6. Matty Rea
7. Sean Reffell
8. Nick Timoney
Replacements:
16. James McCormick
17. Eric O’Sullivan
18. Corrie Barrett
19. Iain Henderson
20. James McNabney
21. Nathan Doak
22. Mike Lowry
23. David McCann
Lions
Francke leads, Notties hits 50. Doing it For Our City tomorrow
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) September 27, 2024
🆚 @UlsterRugby
🗓: Sat, 28 Sept
⏰: 12H55
🎟: https://t.co/QpxzaiqFWU
🏟 : Emirates Airline Park
🏆: Vodacom United Rugby Championship@vodacom #URC | #HitsDifferent pic.twitter.com/oyFNwCbbYC
Don’t think Jude Postlethwaite missed out a place in the 23, more that he’s with the EI squad is the reason he’s not in the 23.
@Kingshu: Spot on
Article doesn’t mention much on Lions, but I make that 5 changes, and 2 positional changes from the Currie Cup final team, and 6 players making their first start in URC for the Lions. They won’t be rusty with the Currie cup giving them more preseason games than the provinces, but will they have got over that lose, when they had the cup as good as won.
Looking forward to seeing more of Aidan Morgan
For the lions , 6 URC’s Debut starters from the Currie cup side, exiting Hungry youngsters coming through as usual . Ray here’s hoping for an absolute mauling on the highveld :) Lions by 15
Massive improvement needed or Ulster will be getting 0 points from this games.
@Ray Ridge: Can you make a prediction, will be a close game and Ulster could do with another of your guaranteed loss predictions
@Kingshu: lol very true 99 percent loss prediction riddly ray incoming
@Kingshu: I know I’m doing rather well when lads make comments like that!!. Based on Ulsters performance last week, the smart money would have to go on the lions.
@Shawn: See above.
@Ray Ridge: Only munster u got right last week right ya donut and city destroying arsenal ya riggttttttt
@Ray Ridge: Ya u got one right 7 months ago
@Shawn: I’m going to make a Ray type prediction and say none of Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Connacht, Stormers Bulls, Lions, Sharks, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Ospreys Scarlets, Cardiff, dragons, Zebre or Terviso will win the URC. When one does win, ill still have been correct with the other 15 and can claim a 94% success rate
@Kingshu: Yes that sums up are ray
@Kingshu: Love it
@Kingshu: You’ll be hitting the tricasts and naming the finalists before you know it. You’re learning from the best baby.