Stockdale, McCloskey and Hume return for Queensland Reds challenge

Hume makes a welcome return to outside centre following a long lay-off, after suffering an ACL injury last season.

Reconnecting the formidable midfield partnership, McCloskey makes his return at inside centre, having been ruled out since December’s Champions Cup match against Bordeaux.

Stockdale returns to action on the left wing for the first time after playing for Ireland against Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series test match in November.

Ulster Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named an extended 31-player squad for Friday night’s challenge, with a mixture of young prospects and front-line experience in line for crucial minutes against top quality opposition.

The front row sees loosehead prop Andy Warwick join hooker Tom Stewart and tighthead prop Corrie Barrett up front.

Lock, Alan O’Connor, captains the Ulstermen in the second row, where he is joined by Matthew Dalton who has rejoined his home province following stints playing in England and France.

In the back-row, Matty Rea starts as the blindside flanker, with 22-year-old Lorcan McLoughlin once again named at openside flanker, as he was in the province’s last competitive fixture. David McCann packs down at number eight.

23-year-old Conor McKee, who has been putting in strong performances for Ballynahinch in Division 1A of the All Ireland League, will start at scrum-half, with Aidan Morgan alongside him at fly-half.

Joining Stockdale in the back three are Ireland Sevens star Zac Ward on the right-wing and Jake Flannery at full-back.

The Ulster bench contains three Academy players eager to get minutes, with centre Wilhelm De Klerk, back-rower Tom Brigg and prop Jacob Boyd all hoping to impress if called upon.

The senior forward replacements are James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Bryan O’Connor, Harry Sheridan, Reuben Crothers and Kieran Treadwell.

Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Michael Lowry, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Stewart Moore and Michael McDonald provide the backline options.

Ulster Rugby team to play Queensland Reds, Bank of Ireland Mid-Season Challenge, Friday 7 February, 7.35pm at Kingspan Stadium:

1. Andrew Warwick

2. Tom Stewart

3. Corrie Barrett

4. Alan O’Connor (Capt.)

5. Matthew Dalton

6. Matty Rea

7. Lorcan McLoughlin

8. David McCann

9. Conor McKee

10. Aidan Morgan

11. Jacob Stockdale

12. Stuart McCloskey

13. James Hume

14. Zac Ward

15. Jake Flannery

Replacements:

James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Bryan O’Connor, Harry Sheridan, Tom Brigg, David Shanahan, James Humphreys, Wilhelm De Klerk, Jacob Boyd, Reuben Crothers, Michael Lowry, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Stewart Moore, Michael McDonald, Kieran Treadwell.