Champions Cup: Ireland contingent return to Ulster squad
Toulouse v Ulster, Stade Ernest-Wallon, Sunday December 8, (3.15pm)
Just one of Ulster's Ireland internationals returns to the starting line-up for Sunday's Champions Cup opener away to holders Toulouse.
Staurt McCloskey starts, with Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson and Cormac Izuchukwu on the bench and Jacob Stockdale injured.
In the front row, James McCormick retains his place at hooker and is one of four players in the starting XV making their first Champions Cup appearance for the province, along with Ben Carson and summer signings Aidan Morgan and Werner Kok.
Scott Wilson starts again at tighthead, with Andy Warwick coming in at loosehead prop. Lock Alan O’Connor will lead the side out, with Harry Sheridan starting alongside him in the second row.
The back row sees Matty Rea at blindside flanker, with his brother Marcus on the openside, while James McNabney is named at number eight.
In an unchanged half-back partnership, Nathan Doak starts at scrum-half, with Morgan leading the attack at fly-half. McCloskey returns from international duty at inside centre, partnered in midfield with Carson, who scored two tries in last weekend’s interprovincial defeat at home to Leinster.
Michael Lowry and Kok start on the left and right wings respectively, with Stewart Moore completing the back three at full back.
Murphy welcomes back another four of his Ireland international contingent on the bench, with Herring, O’Toole, Henderson and Izuchukwu named among the replacements.
Eric O’Sullivan and Nick Timoney complete the forward cover, with Dave Shanahan and Jude Postlethwaite providing the backline options.
Ulster team to play Toulouse, Stade Ernest-Wallon, Sunday December 8, 3.15pm (UK time)
15-9: Stewart Moore, Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Stuart McCloskey, Michael Lowry, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak
1-8: Andrew Warwick, James McCormick, Scott Wilson, Alan O’Connor (C), Harry Sheridan, Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, James McNabney
Replacements: Rob Herring, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave Shanahan, Jude Postlethwaite, Nick Timoney