Rugby: Seven changes for Ulster ahead of first inter-pro of the season

Ulster have made seven changes to their starting line-up to face Connacht in the United Rugby Championship tomorrow night at home.

John Andrew, Tom O'Toole, Kieran Treadwell and Nick Timoney return in the forwards, replacing James McCormick, Corrie Barrett, Charlie Irvine and James McNabney.

In the backs, Ethan McIlroy, Jude Postlethwaite and John Cooney all come in, at the expense of Mike Lowry, Ben Carson and Nathan Doak.

Iain Henderson captains the side and is joined in the second row by Treadwell. Andrew Warwick starts at loosehead prop, joined by experienced hooker John Andrew and Irish international Tom O’Toole at tighthead.

Warwick and Alan O’Connor - who is amongst the replacements - are in line for their 200th Ulster caps this weekend.

In the back row, David McCann starts as the openside flanker, with Sean Reffell on the blindside. Timoney starts at eight and marks a milestone of his own, making his 150th cap for Ulster.

The half-back partnership this weekend sees John Cooney start alongside Aidan Morgan, who has two tries in his opening three matches for Ulster.

After scoring a superb individual try against the Bulls last weekend, Jacob Stockdale starts on the left wing, with Werner Kok making his first start at Kingspan Stadium on the right.

Jude Postlethwaite returns to the team, following an impressive Emerging Ireland tour that saw the Lisburn man score a try against Western Force last weekend, before being released to play for the province.

He starts at inside centre and is joined by Stewart Moore, who notched a try last weekend against the Bulls. Ethan McIlroy starts at full-back, completing the back-field.

Head Coach Richie Murphy opts for a 5:3 split on the bench, with McCormick, Callum Reid, Barrett, Alan O’Connor and Marcus Rea providing the forward replacement options.

Doak, Carson and Lowry provide the back options from the bench.

Ulster side to play Connacht at the Kingspan Stadium, Saturday October 12th (8pm)

1-8: Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, David McCann, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney;

15-9: Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, John Cooney

Replacements: James McCormick, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Alan O’Connor, Marcus Rea, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson, Mike Lowry.