JACOB STOCKDALE HAS shaken off his latest injury setback to return to the Ulster starting XV for their New Year’s Day interpro against Munster.
The Ireland winger has sat out Ulster’s last two games with a leg injury he picked up in the Heineken Champions Cup against Sale, but is named on the left wing for Sunday’s URC clash at Kingspan Stadium [5.15pm, TG4].
James Hume, Rob Baloucoune, and Billy Burns also return to Dan McFarland’s strengthened backline, while Sean Reffell is given the nod at openside flanker.
Meanwhile, Munster head coach Graham Rowntree makes six changes to the side which narrowly lost to Leinster on St Stephen’s Day, including a first URC start for Kiran McDonald in the second row.
Malakai Fekitoa makes his first appearance since the victory over South Africa A as he comes into the backs along with Mike Haley and Paddy Patterson, while Roman Salanoa and Alex Kendellen get the nod in the pack.
Ulster
Stewart Moore, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney; Rory Sutherland, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (capt), Greg Jones, Sean Reffell, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Sam Carter, Jordi Murphy, Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, Ethan McIlroy.
Munster
Mike Haley, Shane Daly, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Keith Earls, Jack Crowley, Paddy Patterson; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Roman Salanoa, Jean Kleyn, Kiran McDonald, Jack O’Donoghue (capt), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Scott Buckley, Josh Wycherley, Stephen Archer, Cian Hurley, Jack O’Sullivan, Conor Murray, Ben Healy, Patrick Campbell.
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