Ulster head coach Richie Murphy names squad to take on Scarlets

Fresh after signing a new deal to stay on as Ulster’s Head Coach for at least the next two years, Richie Murphy makes four changes to the starting XV from last week’s Challenge Cup victory against Stade Francais.

The matchday squad features 12 players who were named to represent Ireland international squads next month in both the Six Nations and an Ireland XV team to take on England ‘A’.

Iain Henderson captains the XV, starting alongside development lock, Charlie Irvine, who returns after a calf injury.

In the front row, there is one change from last weekend’s Challenge Cup victory as Angus Bell starts at loosehead prop. The Wallaby international missed out last week due to illness. Tom Stewart starts at hooker and Tom O’Toole retains his spot at tighthead prop.

The back row trio remains unchanged, with David McCann at blindside flanker, Nick Timoney at openside and Academy forward, Bryn Ward, at number eight.

Last weekend Ward picked up his second successive Player of the Match award.

Scrum-half Nathan Doak making his century of Ulster appearances, starts alongside Jack Murphy at fly-half.

The midfield remains unchanged, with Stuart McCloskey and James Hume starting at 12 and 13.

South African winger, Werner Kok, comes back in to start on the left wing, while Robert Baloucoune retains his spot on the right wing.

Michael Lowry returns from an ankle injury to start at full-back.

Rob Herring, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan and Matthew Dalton are the forward replacements, while Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Jude Postlethwaite are the backline cover options.

Scarlets v Ulster Rugby, Saturday 24^th January, 3pm, Parc y Scarlets, BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 10 (Live on Premier Sports)

(Appearances in brackets) 

1. Angus Bell (5)

2. Tom Stewart (66)

3. Tom O’Toole (134)

4. Iain Henderson (Capt) (168)

5. Charlie Irvine (5)

6. David McCann (79)

7. Nick Timoney (176)

8. Bryn Ward (8)

9. Nathan Doak (99)

10. Jack Murphy (23)

11. Werner Kok (23)

12. Stuart McCloskey (211)

13. James Hume (109)

14. Robert Baloucoune (77)

15. Michael Lowry (127)

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring (262)

17. Eric O’Sullivan (131)

18. Scott Wilson (45)

19. Harry Sheridan (52)

20. Matthew Dalton (18)

21. Conor McKee (11)

22. Jake Flannery (30)

23. Jude Postlethwaite (39)