Champions Cup: Four changes for Ulster ahead of Racing 92 clash

Dan McFarland makes four changes to his Ulster starting line-up to face Racing 92 at home in the Champions Cup tomorrow night.

Mike Lowry, John Cooney, Matty Rea and Rob Herring all return, with Stewart Moore, Nathan Doak and Tom Stewart dropping to the bench and James McNabney not involved.

Iain Henderson captains the province and is joined by Alan O’Connor in the second row.

World-Cup winning Springbok, Steven Kitshoff, makes his European home debut against Racing 92, where he will face his South Africa teammate and captain, Siya Kolisi. Joining Kitshoff in the front row is Rob Herring at hooker and Tom O’Toole, who retains his place at tighthead prop.

In the back row, Dave Ewers, who won the Champions Cup in 2020 with Exeter Chiefs, retains his place at blindside flanker, alongside Nick Timoney at openside, while Matty Rea gets the nod at eight to complete the back-row.

Cooney comes in at scrum-half and is joined by Billy Burns at fly-half, while Jacob Stockdale and Rob Baloucoune retain their places on the left and right wing respectively.

Stuart McCloskey and James Hume continue their centre partnership in the back-field and Lowry starts at full-back, after returning from injury.

In a strong bench, McFarland opts for a 5:3 split as Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Marty Moore, Kieran Treadwell and Harry Sheridan provide the forward options with Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery and Stewart Moore offering the back options as replacements.

Ulster side to play Racing 92

(15-9): Mike Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8): Steven Kitshoff, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Iain Henderson (C), Dave Ewers, Nick Timoney, Matty Rea.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Marty Moore, Kieran Treadwell, Harry Sheridan, Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, Stewart Moore.