URC: Ulster name unchanged side for crunch Munster clash

Ulster have named an unchanged side from the one that beat Leinster last time out for tomorrow's huge inter-pro clash away to Munster (5.15pm)

That Leinster win secured play-off rugby as it guaranteed a place in the top eight of the URC.

A win tomorrow would guarantee Champions Cup rugby for next season - unless the 8th place team went on to win the URC. It would also mean the province would claim the Irish Shield, which is given to the Irish province with the best head-to-head record over the campaign.

Lock Alan O’Connor continues to captain the team, joining Kieran Treadwell in the second row. Eric O’Sullivan starts at loosehead prop, Rob Herring at hooker and Tom O’Toole completes the front row at tighthead prop.

The back row sees Cormac Izuchukwu at blindside flanker, David McCann at openside flanker and Nick Timoney at eight, and after hisPlayer of the Match performance against Leinster, John Cooney starts at scrum-half, where he is joined by Billy Burns at fly-half.

Jacob Stockdale and Mike Lowry start on the left and right wing, respectively, while Stuart McCloskey is once again joined by Will Addison in the centre, as Ethan McIlroy completes the starting XV at full-back.

The forward options on the bench come from Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan and Matty Rea., while Nathan Doak, Jude Postlethwaite and Stewart Moore form the back options.

Ulster team to play Munster, Thomond Park, Saturday June 1st (5.15pm)

15-9: Ethan McIlroy, Mike Lowry, Will Addison, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

1-8: Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor (C), Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Matty Rea, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite.

• munster rugby