Ulster and Connacht name sides for South African games

September 2024; Mike Lowry of Ulster is tackled by Sebastian Cancelliere of Glasgow Warriors during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Glasgow Warriors at The Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. (Photo By Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

This weekend, Ulster and Connacht will take on South African opposition in the second round of the United Rugby Championship.

Ulster travel to Johannesburg to face the Emirates Lions, while Connacht welcome the Hollywoodbets Sharks to Galway.

Ulster

Ulster Head Coach, Dan McFarland, has selected a back three of Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, and Jacob Stockdale.

In midfield, Stewart Moore and Stuart McCloskey get the nod, while Aidan Morgan and John Cooney start as the province's halfbacks.

The front row sees a trio of Andy Warwick, John Andrew, and Tom O'Toole.

In the second row, Alan O'Connor and Kieran Treadwell provide cover.

The back row is completed by Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, and Nick Timoney.

McFarland has opted for a 6:2 split on the bench, with James McCormick, Eric O'Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson, James McNabney, and David McCann providing the forward options.

For the backs, Nathan Doak and Mike Lowry are set to offer cover.

The game against the Emirates Lions kicks off at 11:55 am tomorrow and will be broadcast live on Premier Sports.

The game against the Emirate Lions starts at 11.55am tomorrow. It's live on Premier Sports.

Ulster squad

(1-8) Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor (C), Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, and Nick Timoney;

(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, and John Cooney.

Replacements: James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson, James McNabney, Nathan Doak, Mike Lowry, David McCann.

Full team news for our Lions clash tomorrow 🇿🇦

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) September 27, 2024

Connacht

Connacht Head Coach Pete Wilkins has named his side for the game against the Hollywoodbets Sharks later that day.

Four changes have been made to the team that lost to Munster, with Niall Murray, Shane Jennings, Finlay Bealham, and debutant David O'Connor coming into the starting lineup.

Wilkins has selected Santiago Cordero, Mack Hansen, and Shane Jennings in the back three. Piers O'Connor and Cathal Forde start as the province's centres.

The backline is completed by the halfback pairing of Josh Ioane and Ben Murphy.

In the front row, Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, and Finlay Bealham start. Niall Murray and David O'Connor provide cover in the second row, while the back row is made up of Josh Murphy, Conor Oliver, and captain Cian Prendergast.

Head Coach Pete Wilkins says: “I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s game. Our intensity and overall performance last week were encouraging despite the bitter disappointment of the result. Against a very strong Sharks team, we will need a repeat of that effort, along with evidence of growth in our game from round one. Picking up home wins in such a tight league will be crucial, and I know the sold-out Dexcom crowd will provide huge energy to the lads, despite the slightly different surroundings.

It’s an important day for two of our players for very different reasons—with Denis earning his 250th cap and David O'Connor making his debut. We’re determined to give them a fitting performance.”*

The game kicks off at 19:35.

(15-9) Santiago Cordero Mack Hansen Piers O’Conor Cathal Forde Shane Jennings Josh Ioane Ben Murphy

(1-8) Denis Buckley Dave Heffernan Finlay Bealham Niall Murray David O’Connor Josh Murphy Conor Oliver Cian Prendergast

Replacement: Dylan Tierney-Martin Peter Dooley Sam Illo Oisín Dowling Shamus Hurley-Langton Caolin Blade David Hawkshaw Paul Boyle