Rugby: Murphy names side for URC season opener

Both Aidan Morgan and Corrie Barrett will make their competitive debuts for ULster in the URC season opener at home to Glasgow Warriors tomorrow.

Iain Henderson skippers the side, starting alongside Kieran Treadwell in the second row, while the front row sees Eric O’Sullivan start at loosehead prop, John Andrew at hooker and Barrett, who signed a contract with the province this week, at tighthead.

James McNabney gets the nod at blindside flanker where he is joined by last season’s Men’s Player of the Year, David McCann, at openside, with Nick Timoney starting at number eight.

After starting both pre-season friendlies against Benetton and Exeter Chiefs, scrum-half Nathan Doak and fly-half Aidan Morgan line up together as the half-back partnership to kick off the season.

Jacob Stockdale starts on the left wing, with the Ireland international hoping to continue his fine try-scoring form from last season and after captaining the province for the first time in pre-season, Mike Lowry starts on the right.

Jude Postlethwaite, who was one of six Ulstermen named in the upcoming Emerging Ireland tour, starts at inside centre and is joined by Stewart Moore at outside, with Ethan McIlroy completing the starting XV at full-back.

Head Coach Richie Murphy opts for a 5:3 split on the bench, with three players potentially in line for their Senior Men’s debuts.

Two Development players, hooker James McCormick and fly-half, James Humphreys, are in contention for an appearance and new summer signing Werner Kok will also be hoping to make his debut in an Ulster jersey at the Kingspan.

Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan and Cormac Izuchukwu provide the other forward replacements, while Dave Shanahan provides cover at scrum-half on the bench.

Ulster side to face Glasgow, Saturday 21 September (7.45pm)

15-9: Ethan McIlroy, Mike Lowry, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;

1-8: Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, James McNabney, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: James McCormick, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Werner Kok.