URC: Five changes for Ulster as Cooney returns for inter-pro clash

Irisi international trio Iain Henderson, Cormac Izuchukwuand Nick Timoney will all miss Ulster's URC clash at home to Munster tomorrow night through injury.

However, John Cooney makes his return from a hamstring injury to start and Academy fly-half Jack Murphy could make his senior debut from the bench.

Head Coach Richie Murphy makes five changes to his starting line-up, with Alan O'Connor, Jame McNabney, Marcus Rea and Andrew Warwick starting in the forwards, while Cooney is one backline change and Eric O'Sullivan drops to the bench and Nathan Doak misses out through injury.

Warwick starts at loosehead prop to join hooker Rob Herring and tighthead prop Tom O’Toole, while O’Connor skippers the team from the second row alongside Kieran Treadwell.

The back row sees two changes, as McNabney comes in at blindside flanker with Marcus Rea at openside. David McCann's retained at number eight.

Cooney makes his return at scrum-half, joining fly-half Aidan Morgan in the half-back partnership, while the backfield remains unchanged from last weekend.

Stuart McCloskey and Jude Postlethwaite continue in the midfield at inside and outside centre respectively and after making his debut last week, Zac Ward gets his first URC outing this weekend, starting on the left wing.

Werner Kok, who celebrated his first try at the Kingspan against Bordeaux, starts on the right, as Michael Lowry completes the back-three at full-back.

Jack Murphy is in line for his senior debut from the bench, while Academy back Rory Telfer is set for a maiden URC appearance following his senior debut last week.

Dave Shanahan provides the other backline option, with John Andrew, O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan and Matty Rea named as the forward reinforcements.

Ulster side to face v Munster, Kingspan Stadium, Friday 20 December (7.35pm)

15-9: Michael Lowry, Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Zac Ward, Aidan Morgan, John Cooney

1-8: Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (C), Kieran Treadwell, James McNabney, Marcus Rea, David McCann

Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Matty Rea, Dave Shanahan, Jack Murphy, Rory Telfer