Rugby: Ireland internationals return for Ulster against Italians in URC

Ulster welcome back internationals Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney and Jacob Stockdale into their starting line-up to face Benetton following the Autumn Nations Series.

However, another of those Ireland players, Stuart McCloskey, remains out with the groin injury he picked up in the win over Australia. Michael Lowry is also injured following the Ireland XV win over Spain, while Cormac Izuchukwu also hasn't made it in time.

However, Juarno Augustus has returned from an arm injury to take his place a number eight.

Long serving scrum-half Dave Shanahan is in line for a milestone 100th appearance in an Ulster jersey with an appearance from the bench.

Henderson captains the side alongside Harry Sheridan in the second row, while in the front row, Tom Stewart starts at hooker after captaining Ireland XV earlier this month.

Sam Crean starts at loosehead prop and Scott Wilson gets the nod at tighthead, with Augustus in the back row. David McCann starts at blindside flanker, with Timoney returning at openside.

Scrum-half Nathan Doak and fly-half Jack Murphy continue their half-back partnership, with Jude Postlethwaite and James Hume starting in midfield.

In the back three, Werner Kok is named on the left wing with Rob Baloucoune hoping to continue his scoring form on the right wing. Baloucoune scored a hat trick in the Round 5 defeat against Emirates Lions and a further two tries for Ireland XV earlier this month.

Jacob Stockdale returns from international duty at full-back.

Murphy opts for a 5:3 split among the replacements, with Rob Herring, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Matthew Dalton and Bryn Ward providing forward reinforcements.

Shanahan, Jake Flannery and Stewart Moore complete the backline cover.

Ulster side to play Benetton in the URC, Affidea Stadium, Friday November 28 (7.45pm)

1-8: Sam Crean, Tom Stewart, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Iain Henderson, David McCann, Nick Timoney, Juarno Augustus

9-15: Nathan Doak, Jack Murphy, Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, James Hume, Rob Baloucoune, Jacob Stockdale

Replacements: Rob Herring, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Matthew Dalton, Bryn Ward, David Shanahan, Jake Flannery, Stewart Moore