Rugby: Murphy rings the changes for Ulster ahead of Lions clash

Ulster Head Coach Richie Murphy has made eight changes tohis starting line-up to face the Emirates Lions in South Africa tomorrow.

Both Stuart McCloskey and John Cooney start, as does Tom O'Toole, Andrew Warwick, Sean Refell and Matty Rea. Alan O'Connor replaces Iain Henderson and captains the side, while Werner Kok makes his first start, back in his home country.

O’Connor skippers the side from the second row, where he is joined by Kieran Treadwell. Warwick starts at loosehead prop, joined by John Andrew at hooker while O'Toole comes in at tighthead.

Packing down behind the front five, Matty Rea gets the nod at blindside flanker, with Reffell starting on the openside and Nick Timoney retaining his position at number eight.

The half-back partnership sees Cooney return at scrum-half after a hamstring injury ruled him out of the opening win last weekend. After scoring a try on his debut last week against Glasgow, Aidan Morgan again starts at ten.

Murphy makes two changes to the backline, with McCloskey back in the squad and starting at inside centre, alongside outside centre Stewart Moore.

After getting a taste of action from the bench last week, this weekend will see South African winger Kok make his first start in an Ulster jersey. Jacob Stockdale provides the threat going forward from the left wing., while Ethan McIlroy retains his spot at full-back.

Murphy opts for a 6:2 split on the bench, with James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson, James McNabney and David McCann providing the forward options.

Scrum-half, Nathan Doak, and Mike Lowry form the backline options.

Ulster side to face Lions at Emirates Airlines Park, Saturday 28 September (11.55am)

1-8: Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor (C), Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney

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

Replacements: James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson, James McNabney, Nathan Doak, Mike Lowry, David McCann.