Murphy names Ulster side for crucial URC clash with Stormers

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy and Juarno Augustus celebrate. Pic: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has named his matchday squad to face DHL Stormers tomorrow in Round 17 of the URC at Affidea Stadium (kick-off, 7.45pm).

After securing a place in the Challenge Cup final later this month in Bilbao, attention returns to the URC, with only two regular-season clashes left.

Props Angus Bell and Scott Wilson come back into the matchday squad following their injuries. Australian international loosehead Bell returns to the starting lineup following his recent foot knock. 

Hooker James McCormick starts alongside Ireland international Tom O’Toole at tighthead prop, while captain Iain Henderson starts in the second row alongside Charlie Irvine.

There is one change to the back row this weekend, with Irish international Cormac Izuchukwu moving to blindside flanker. Ireland international flanker, Nick Timoney, and number eight, Juarno Augustus, retain their spots from last week.

Scrum-half Nathan Doak and fly-half Jack Murphy continue in the half-back positions.

In the midfield, Jude Postlethwaite starts at inside centre alongside Ethan McIlroy who starts at outside centre.

In the back-three, Werner Kok returns to the starting lineup on the right wing. Zac Ward switches over to the left wing this week, while Michael Lowry retains his position at full-back.

Murphy continues with a 5/3 split among the replacements. 

There is a welcome return to action for prop Wilson, with Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Wilson, Harry Sheridan and Ward providing the forward cover.

Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Academy centre, Wilhelm De Klerk, are the backline replacements.

Ulster: M Lowry; W Kok, E McIlroy, J Postlethwaite, Z Ward; J Murphy, N Doak; A Bell, J McCormick, T O’Toole; I Henderson, C Irvine; C Izuchukwu, N Timoney, J Augustus.

Replacements: T Stewart, E O’Sullivan, S Wilson, H Sheridan, B Ward, C McKee, J Flannery, W De Klerk.