Rugby: Timoney returns to start for Ulster
Ulster v Leinster, Kingspan Stadium, Friday November 29 (7.35pm)
Nick Timoney returns to the Ulster side to face Leinster in the United Rugby Championship tomorrow night at the Kingspan, following his release from Ireland duty.
Head Coach Richie Murphy is still without the services of Iain Henderson, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole and Cormac Izuchukwu, who are all still involved with Andy Farrell's squad to face Australia on Saturday, while Jacob Stockdale is injured.
Lock Alan O’Connor captains the side, alongside Kieran Treadwell in the second row. while Eric O’Sullivan starts at loosehead prop, joined by hooker James McCormick and tighthead Scott Wilson, who makes his first start of the season.
The back-row sees James McNabney start at blindside flanker with Timoney starting on the openside, after his return from Ireland international duty. David McCann completes the forward pack, starting at number eight.
The half-back partnership sees Nathan Doak at scrum-half and Aidan Morgan starting at ten, while in the wings, Mike Lowry gets the nod in the 11 shirt on the left, with Werner Kok starting on the right. It's young centre pairing, with Jude Postlethwaite and Ben Carson starting in the midfield.
Stewart Moore makes his return from injury at full-back, completing the starting XV.
Murphy opts for a 5:3 split on the bench, with Tom Stewart making a welcome return to the matchday squad for the first time this season after an ankle injury.
Stewart is joined by Andrew Warwick, Corrie Barrett, Harry Sheridan and Marcus Rea as the forward options.
John Cooney, James Humphreys and Ben Moxham provide the back replacements.
Ulster side to face Leinster, Kingspan Stadium, Friday November 29 (7.45pm)
15-9: Stewart Moore, Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Michael Lowry, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak.
1-8: Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, Scott Wilson, Alan O'Connor (C), Kieran Treadwell, James McNabney, Nick Timoney, David McCann
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andrew Warwick, Corrie Barrett, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, James Humphreys, Ben Moxham