URC: Six changes as Stockdale misses Cardiff clash

Richie Murphy makes six changes for Ulster's trip to Cardiff in the URC tomorrow evening - but there's no place for Jacob Stockdale.

Stockdale scored two tries in last week's win at home to Ospreys and has been named in the Ireland squad for the upcoming Autumn internationals.

The team features five players who were named in the international panel for next month’s Nations Series, with Iain Henderson, Tom O'Toole, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney and Stuart McCloskey all starting before they head off for Ireland duty next week.

Stockdale and the injured Rob Herring - who has yet to feature for the province this season - both muss out for the Cardiff Arms Park clash.

Elsewhere, Iain Henderson returns to captain the side, while Kieran Treadwell, and Nick Timoney also come into the forward line.

Ethan McIlroy, Jude Postlethwaite and Nathan Doak are the changes in the back field.

Those missing out are Alan O'Connor, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, Ben Carson and Stockdale.

Henderson skippers the side, alongside Treadwell in the second row, while the front row remains unchanged from last weekend’s win against Ospreys - with Eric O’Sullivan is joined by hooker James McCormick and tighthead prop O’Toole.

Hoping for his first Ireland cap next month, Izuchukwu starts again at blindside flanker, with Timoney back in the 15 at openside. David McCann retains his position at eight.

In the half-back partnership, Nathan Doak starts at scrum-half alongside Aidan Morgan at fly-half. Mike Lowry starts on the left wing and on the right flank, Werner Kok takes the number 14 jersey.

Stuart McCloskey starts at inside centre, alongside Postlethwaite at outside to form the midfield pairing, while McIlroy completes the starting team at full-back.

Murphy goes for a 5:3 split on the replacements bench, with John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan and Marcus Rea providing the forward replacements.

John Cooney, Ben Carson and Ben Moxham form the back options.

Ulster team to play Cardiff at Cardiff Arms Park, Saturday October 25 (7.35pm)

1-8: Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, David McCann

15-9: Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Mike Lowry, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak.

Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, Ben Carson, Ben Moxham.