Ulster team named for showdown with Stade Francais in Belfast

Reporter:

Damian Mullan

Email:

damian.mullan@thechronicle.uk.com

Friday 16 January 2026 14:29

Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster match day squad to take on Stade Francais Paris, in tomorrow’s EPCR Challenge Cup Round 4 fixture at Affidea Stadium.

With Ulster sitting second behind the French side in Pool 3, the weekend’s fixture is a fight for top spot in the group and top seeding for the last 16 of the competition.

In the front row, Wallaby loosehead prop Angus Bell joins hooker Tom Stewart and tighthead prop, Tom O’Toole.

Ireland international lock and Ulster captain, Iain Henderson, starts in the second row alongside Harry Sheridan.

In a combative back row trio, David McCann starts at blindside flanker alongside Nick Timoney at openside flanker and Academy forward, Bryn Ward, at number eight. Ward was named the Player of the Match in his last outing against Munster in Round 9 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy are the half-backs partnership at nine and ten.

Zac Ward starts on the left wing, with Robert Baloucoune returning to the starting XV on the right flank.

In the midfield, Stuart McCloskey starts alongside James Hume as the two centres.

Jacob Stockdale starts at full-back and completes the backline.

Murphy selects a 5:3 split among the replacements, with Rob Herring, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton and Sean Reffell forming the forward options.

Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Jude Postlethwaite provide the backline cover.

Ulster Rugby v Stade Francais Paris, Saturday 17^th January, 1pm, Affidea Stadium, EPCR Challenge Cup Round 4 (Live on Premier Sports)

(Player appearances in brackets)

1. Angus Bell (5)

2. Tom Stewart (65)

3. Tom O’Toole (133)

4. Iain Henderson (Capt) (167)

5. Harry Sheridan (51)

6. David McCann (78)

7. Nick Timoney (175)

8. Bryn Ward (7)

9. Nathan Doak (98)