Champions Cup: McIlroy and Henderson make Ulster return

Ulster have made six changes to their starting line-up to face Leicester Tigers in the Champions Cup tomorrow in what is a must-win game.

Mike Lowry and Matty Rea are both out, while Jack Murphy, Rory Telfer, Kieran Treadwell and Eric O'Sullivan drop to the bench.

Ethan McIlroy, Iain Henderson, Zac Ward, Aidan Morgan, Andrew Warwick and David McCann all come in.

Club captain Henderson returns from injury to lead the team from the second row, with McIlroy making his first Ulster appearance since October.

The front row sees one change from December’s URC victory against Connacht, as Warwick starts at loosehead prop, alongside hooker John Andrew and Scott Wilson at tighthead

Fellow Irish international Cormac Izuchukwu joins skipper Henderson in the second-row pairing. In the back-row, James McNabney starts at blindside flanker, with Nick Timoney retaining his spot at openside after his Player of the Match display against Connacht. McCann gets the nod in the eight jersey.

The half-back pairing sees one change, as scrum-half Nathan Doak joins New Zealander Morgan, who returns to the starting line-up at fly-half.

The midfield partnership remains the same, as Jude Postlethwaite and Ben Carson retain their positions at inside and outside centre respectively.

Ward returns to the starting XV on the left wing, with Werner Kok taking up the right-wing berth, and McIlroy completing the line-up at full-back.

Murphy opts for a 5:3 split on the bench, with James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Kieran Treadwell and Harry Sheridan providing the forward replacements, and John Cooney, Jack Murphy and Rory Telfer the backline options.

Ulster side to play Leicester, Saturday January 11 (8pm) Mattioli Woods Welford Road

15-9: Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Zac Ward, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak

1-8: Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Scott Wilson, Iain Henderson (C), Cormac Izuchukwu, James McNabney, Nick Timoney, David McCann

Replacements: James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Kieran Treadwell, Harry Sheridan, John Cooney, Jack Murphy, Rory Telfer