Rugby: Former Connacht hooker joins Ulster

Former Connact hooker Tadgh McElroy has joined Ulster on a short-term basis as the side depart for a URC double-header in South Africa.

Head Coach Richie Murphy has named a 30-player squad to play Emirates Lions and Vodacom Bulls over the next two weekends.

Ulster take on the Lions this Saturday in Round 2 at Emirates Airline Park. (11.55am UK/IRL time).

The following weekend, the province will head to Pretoria to take on Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday 5 October. (3pm UK/ IRL tim,e)

McElroy has joined the province on a short-term injury cover basis and travels with the squad. The former Ireland U20s hooker spent last season with Connacht and has also played for Saracens, Bedford Blues, Bristol Bears, London Irish and Leinster.

Also returning from injury is John Cooney, while Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey travels. Both missed last Saturday's opening win over Glasgow in Belfast.

Ulster travelling squad for South Africa:

Backs: John Cooney, Nathan Doak, Dave Shanahan, Aidan Morgan, James Humphreys, Jacob Stockdale, Mike Lowry, Ben Moxham, Werner Kok, Stuart McCloskey, Stewart Moore, Ben Carson, Ethan McIlroy

Forwards: Andy Warwick, Eric O’Sullivan, Callum Reid, John Andrew, James McCormick, Tadgh McElroy, Tom O’Toole, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson (C), Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Charlie Irvine, James McNabney, Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, David McCann, Nick Timoney.