Team News: Lowry at flyhalf, Munster make seven changes
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The Ulster and Munster match-day 23 have been selected for the United Rugby Championship clash at Kingspan Stadium on Friday (7.35pm kick-off).
For Ulster, Stewart Moore starts at full-back, with Rob Baloucoune and Ethan McIlroy retained on the wings from last Saturday’s game against Toulouse. Stuart McCloskey and James Hume will form the midfield pairing. Mike Lowry makes a positional switch to start at out-half alongside John Cooney at scrum-half.
Last weekend’s starting front row have been retained, with Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring and Marty Moore selected. Captain Iain Henderson and Alan O’Connor also keep their starting berths. Matty Rea and Jordi Murphy will come into the side at blindside and openside flankers, with Nick Timoney switching to Number Eight.
As for Munster, there are seven changes to the side that beat Exeter Chiefs last weekend. Craig Casey and Shane Daly come into the backline and there is a new front row of Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron and Stephen Archer.
Simon Zebo misses out due to personal reasons. With a six-day turnaround following a bruising encounter on Saturday, Peter O’Mahony and Niall Scannell didn’t come through a full training week and were unavailable due to knocks.
TEAMS
Ulster
Stewart Moore, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Ethan McIlroy, Mike Lowry, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Iain Henderson (Capt.), Matty Rea, Jordi Murphy, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: Brad Roberts, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Sam Carter, Sean Reidy, Nathan Doak, Ian Madigan, Ben Moxham.
Munster:
Mike Haley; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Damian de Allende, Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Thomas Ahern; Jack O’Donoghue (C), John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen.
Replacements: Scott Buckley, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Jason Jenkins, Fineen Wycherley, Conor Murray, Ben Healy, Chris Cloete.
