Stewart to skipper Ulster as URC campaign begins in Italy

Ulster Head Coach, Dan McFarland, has named his side to get Ulster’s BKT United Rugby Championship campaign underway, as the province travels to Italy to play Zebre Parma in Round 1.

Tom Stewart is named Captain, as he hopes to build on his record-breaking URC campaign in which he scored 16 tries across last season.

The 22-year-old hooker is joined in the front row by Ulster stalwart, Andy Warwick, starting at loosehead, with Greg McGrath, who made his debut in Ulster colours in the pre-season win against Glasgow Warriors, once again named in the starting line-up at tighthead.

The 26-year-old impressed at Kingspan Breffni, alongside fellow new recruit Dave Ewers, and has been rewarded with a short-term contract with the province, which will see him stay with Ulster until at least early December, in-line with the first block of URC games.

Most recently playing for Jersey Reds, the versatile prop can play on both sides of the scrum and will continue in the months ahead to bulk-up Ulster’s options in the front row, with injury and the Rugby World Cup set to continue to impact selection for the opening rounds of the new campaign.

McFarland has opted for experience in the second row, with Matty Rea partnered by Ireland international Kieran Treadwell.

New signing Dave Ewers makes his first competitive start for Ulster, and is joined in a powerful back row by Ulster Rugby Academy products, Marcus Rea and David McCann, who start as blindside flanker and number eight respectively.

The youthful out-half partnership consists of scrum-half Nathan Doak and Jake Flannery at fly-half. Both players made their first competitive starts for Ulster against Zebre Parma.

Angus Curtis returns to the starting line-up at inside centre, where he is partnered by James Hume.

Jacob Stockdale starts on the left wing, following his involvement in the Ireland Rugby World Cup training camp and warm-up games against Italy and Samoa.

Michael Lowry starts at right wing, in a change-up after starting much of last season at full-back, with the Academy graduate hoping to showcase his electric speed on the wing.

Will Addison hits another milestone in his comeback from a long-term injury, with a first competitive start since 2021, as he is named at full-back.

McFarland opts for a 5:3 split on the bench, as John Andrew, Callum Reid, James French, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Dave Shanahan, Billy Burns and Stewart Moore are named as the replacements.

Ulster side to face Zebre:

(15-9): Will Addison, Michael Lowry, James Hume, Angus Curtis, Jacob Stockdale, Jake Flannery, Nathan Doak;

(1-8): Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart (C), Greg McGrath, Matty Rea, Kieran Treadwell, Dave Ewers, Marcus Rea, David McCann.

Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Reid, James French, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Dave Shanahan, Billy Burns, Stewart Moore.