Ulster ready to take on Glasgow in season opener
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Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster team to face Glasgow Warriors in Round 1 of the United Rugby Championship at Kingspan Stadium (KO 7 45pm).
Captain, Iain Henderson, skippers the side, as he starts alongside Kieran Treadwell in the second row.
The front row sees Eric O’Sullivan start at loosehead prop, John Andrew at hooker and Corrie Barrett, who signed a contract with the province this week, at tighthead prop.
Development talent, James McNabney, gets the nod at blindside flanker where he is joined by last season’s Bank of Ireland Men’s Player of the Year, David McCann, at openside flanker.
Nick Timoney starts at number eight.
After starting both pre-season friendlies against Benetton and Exeter Chiefs, scrum-half, Nathan Doak, and fly-half, Aidan Morgan, line up together as the half-back partnership to kick off the season.
Jacob Stockdale starts on the left wing, with the Ireland international hoping to continue his fine try-scoring form from last season.
After captaining the province for the first time in pre-season, Mike Lowry, starts on the right wing.
Jude Postlethwaite, who was one of six Ulstermen named in the upcoming Emerging Ireland tour, starts at inside centre and is joined by Stewart Moore at outside centre.
Ethan McIlroy starts at full-back, completing the starting XV.
Murphy opts for a 5:3 split on the Ulster bench, with three players potentially in line for their Senior Men’s debuts.
Two Development players, hooker, James McCormick, and fly-half, James Humphreys, are in contention for an appearance and new summer signing, Werner Kok, will also be hoping to make his debut in an Ulster jersey at Kingspan Stadium.
Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan and Cormac Izuchukwu provide the other forward replacements.
Dave Shanahan provides cover at scrum-half on the bench.
Ulster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors, Saturday 21 September, 7.45pm, United Rugby Championship, Round 1, Kingspan Stadium (Live on Premier Sports, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster).
(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Mike Lowry, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;
(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, James McNabney, David McCann, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: James McCormick, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Werner Kok.
