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
Really unfortunate because he is such a key part of Shells title triumph hope he can do well at Hull.
Big blow for Shels but encouraging for the league that he was disappointed to leave the club and looked and sounded like he genuinely wanted to stay and be a part of what was happening there, but as Boris would say ‘dems da breaks’ a recall can always happen with a loan signing obviously. An opportunity for someone else to step up and make an impact