Hume hits 100 as Ulster kick off season against Dragons in Belfast

Ulster Rugby Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his matchday squad to take on Dragons RFC in tomorrow’s BKT United Rugby Championship opener at Affidea Stadium. (KO: 8.05pm)

27 year-old centre, James Hume, starts on what will be his 100^th cap in an Ulster jersey.

Iain Henderson captains the XV, starting alongside Harry Sheridan in the second row.

Up front, Callum Reid starts at loosehead prop, with Rob Herring at hooker and Tom O’Toole starting at tighthead prop.

In a powerful back row trio, Cormac Izuchukwu starts at blindside flanker, with Nick Timoney starting at openside flanker. David McCann starts at number eight.

Scrum-half, Nathan Doak, and fly-half, Jack Murphy, join forces as the half-back partnership.

In an exciting backline, there is a welcome return to action for prolific winger Jacob Stockdale, who returns to action after sustaining an injury while playing for Ireland against Georgia on the summer tour.

Ireland international teammate, Stuart McCloskey, starts at inside centre alongside Hume at outside centre on his 100^th appearance.

After starring in the recent Bank of Ireland pre-season fixture against Edinburgh, Zac Ward, starts on the right wing, looking to continue his momentum.

Michael Lowry completes the backfield at full-back.

Murphy opts for a 5:3 split among the replacements, with South African back-rower, Juarno Augustus, in line for his Ulster debut after signing from Champions Cup finalists, Northampton Saints, this summer.

25 year-old prop, Sam Crean, is also named on the bench after making a permanent move from Saracens to the province this summer.

Tom Stewart, Scott Wilson and Matthew Dalton join Crean and Augustus as the forward replacement options.

Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Ben Carson are the backline replacements.

Ulster Rugby v Dragons RFC, Friday 26^th September, 8.05pm, BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 1, Affidea Stadium, Live on Premier Sports and URC.tv

1. Callum Reid (30)

2. Rob Herring (254)

3. Tom O’Toole (123)

4. Iain Henderson (C) (163)

5. Harry Sheridan (41)

6. Cormac Izuchukwu (42)

7. Nick Timoney (167)

8. David McCann (68)

9. Nathan Doak (89)

10. Jack Murphy (13)

11. Jacob Stockdale (133)

12. Stuart McCloskey (204)

13. James Hume (99)

14. Zac Ward (10)

15. Michael Lowry (124)

16. Tom Stewart (55)

17. Sam Crean (2)

18. Scott Wilson (35)

19. Matthew Dalton (14)

20. Juarno Augustus

21. Conor McKee (1)

22. Jake Flannery (19)

23. Ben Carson (12)