URC: Hume set to earn 100th cap as Ulster's season gets underway

James Hume will hit a century of appearances in an Ulster shirt as they begin their URC campaign at home to Dragons tomorrow night.

The 27 year-old centre starts, Iain Henderson captains the side, alongside Harry Sheridan in the second row. Up front, Callum Reid starts at loosehead prop, with Rob Herring at hooker and Tom O’Toole starting at tighthead.

In the back row, Cormac Izuchukwu is at blindside flanker, with Nick Timoney at openside and David McCann at number eight.

Scrum-half Nathan Doak and fly-half Jack Murphy join forces as the half-back partnership, while there is a welcome return to action on the wing for Jacob Stockdale, after he sustained an injury playing for Ireland on their summer tour.

International team-mate Stuart McCloskey is at inside centre alongside Hume. After starring in the pre-season win against Edinburgh, Zac Ward starts on the right wing, with Michael Lowry at full-back.

Head Coach Richie Murphy opts for a 5:3 split among the replacements, with South African back-rower Juarno Augustus in line for his Ulster debut after signing from Champions Cup finalists Northampton Saints this summer.

Prop Sam Crean is also named on the bench after making a permanent move from Saracens to the province this summer.

Tom Stewart, Scott Wilson and Matthew Dalton join Crean and Augustus as the forward replacement options. Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Ben Carson are the backline replacements.

Ulster side to play Dragons, URC, Affidea Stadium, Friday September 26 (8.05pm)

1-8: Callum Reid, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (C), Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, David McCann

9-15: Nathan Doak, Jack Murphy, Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey, James Hume, Zac Ward, Michael Lowry

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Sam Crean, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, Juarno Augustus, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Ben Carson