Ulster's head coach, Dan McFarland, has announced the lineup for their first home fixture in the BKT United Rugby Championship 2023/24 campaign against the Vodacom Bulls.
The Irish province clinched a bonus-point victory of 40-36 in Italy, defeating Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi last week.
This week, Alan O’Connor returns to captain the team. In the front row, Andy Warwick starts at loosehead, joined by Ireland internationals Tom Stewart at hooker and Tom O’Toole at tighthead. O’Connor is joined in the second row by Ireland international Kieran Treadwell.
In the back row, Dave Ewers makes his home debut after joining the province from Exeter Chiefs earlier this summer. Dave McCann starts as the openside flanker, and Nick Timoney gets the nod at number eight.
The half-back partnership features scrum-half Nathan Doak and out half Billy Burns at ten.
Back home at last! 😍
The Ulster team to take on @BlueBullsRugby at Kingspan Stadium this Sunday! 🔥
🎟️ | https://t.co/6OhL6XfTbh pic.twitter.com/xUYAyk0k88— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) October 27, 2023
Jude Postlethwaite makes his first start at Kingspan Stadium, partnering with James Hume in Ulster's midfield.
Jacob Stockdale starts on Ulster's left wing, while Rob Baloucoune takes his position on the other side. Will Addison completes the lineup at full-back.
McFarland has chosen a 5:3 split on the bench, with John Andrew, Callum Reid, Greg McGrath, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Stewart Moore, and Mike Lowry forming the replacement options.
KO 5pm, Kingspan Stadium, live on BBC NI, TG4, Viaplay and URC.tv
Ulster team
Fullback: Will Addison,
Winger: Rob Baloucoune,
Centres: James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite,
Winger: Jacob Stockdale,
Out half Billy Burns, Scrum half: Nathan Doak.
Front Row: Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole,
Second Row: Alan O’Connor (C), Kieran Treadwell,
Back Row: Dave Ewers, Dave McCann, Nick Timoney
Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Reid, Greg McGrath, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Stewart Moore, Mike Lowry.
