Sport

Ulster Rugby name team to face Dragons at Kingspan Stadium

Ulster have named their United Rugby Championship team to face Dragons at Kingspan Stadium on Friday night.

Six changes have been made from the side beaten 30-15 by Leinster in the Heineken Champions Cup.

Stuart McCloskey and James Hume start in midfield for the Irish province.

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland has selected a back three of Mike Lowry, Craig Gilroy, and Jacob Stockdale.

Billy Burns and John Cooney start as Ulster's half backs.

In the front row Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart, and Tom O’Toole get the nod by McFarland.

Belfast , United Kingdom - 8 October 2022; Stuart McCloskey of Ulster. (Photo By John Dickson/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Behind them in the second row Alan O’Connor captains the side alongside Sam Carter.

The side is finally completed by a back row of David McCann, Marcus Rea, and Duane Vermeulen.

The likes of Robert Balocoune and Ian Henderson have been ruled out by Ulster

Baloucoune has made just six appearances for the province this season.

A win for Ulster would see them climb above the Stormers into second place, although the South African side would be able to move back into the top two on Saturday against Munster.

Ulster Skills Coach, Craig Newby said: "The Dragons come here with nothing to lose, we have reviewed them and have looked at areas we need to tidy up on. We play better when we are at home and we have to focus on winning these two games and our quarter-final.”

Kick-off is at 7.35pm. You can watch the game live on ViaPlay and URC.tv.

Fullback 15. Mike Lowry

Winger. 14 Craig Gilroy

Centres 13.James Hume 12. Stuart McCloskey

Winger 11. Jacob Stockdale

Out half 10. Billy Burns Scum half 9. John Cooney

Front Row 1. Eric O’Sullivan, 2.Tom Stewart, 3. Tom O’Toole

Second Row 4. Alan O’Connor (Captain,5. Sam Carter

Back Row 6. David McCann, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: John Andrew, Andy Warwick, Jeffery Toomaga Allen, Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, Ethan McIlroy.

Players unavailable for selection: Rory Sutherland, Callum Reid, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Iain Henderson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, Ben Moxham, Shea O’Brien, Rob Baloucoune, Will Addison

📣 Team News

Your Ulster side to take on Dragons RFC tomorrow in the @URCOfficial 🔥 #SUFTUM pic.twitter.com/oiETCJFagw

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) April 13, 2023