Tonight, Ulster will face the Ospreys at the Kingspan Stadium in round five of the United Rugby Championship.
Here is a reminder of the team selected by head coach Ritchie Murphy:
Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, and Tom O’Toole start in the front row. Alan O’Connor (Captain) and Harry Sheridan provide engine cover in the second row. Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, and David McCann complete the front pack from the back row.
Mike Lowry, Werner Kok, and Jacob Stockdale have been selected as Ulster's back three. Ben Carson and Stuart McCloskey start in midfield as the province's centres. Aidan Morgan and John Cooney get the nod as Ulster's scrum-half and outhalf, respectively.
Murphy has also opted for a 5:3 split on the bench, with Tadgh McElroy, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Kieran Treadwell, and Matty Rea providing the forward options. Nathan Doak, James Humphreys, and Jude Postlethwaite form the back replacements.
Friday night lights are here⚡️
🆚 Ospreys
⌚️ 7.35 pm
🏟️ Kingspan Stadium
Don't miss out 🎟️https://t.co/3p3br3Ureb pic.twitter.com/AYKOHEp61F— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) October 18, 2024
Speaking in his press conference, Murphy admitted that the home advantage will be huge for his side tonight against the Welsh outfit.
“We have a great advantage of playing at home because the crowd gets in behind the team and that was one of the things that we talked about earlier in the week—giving them something to shout about and I think the lads did that really well,” said Murphy. “It was a massive effort from everyone that was on the pitch and the physicality was right up," said the Ulster coach
The game will start at 7:35 p.m. and can be seen live on Premier Sports, URC.tv, and heard on BBC Sounds.
(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (C), Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, David McCann;
(15-9) Mike Lowry, Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, and John Cooney.
Replacements: Tadgh McElroy, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, Nathan Doak, James Humphreys, Jude Postlethwaite.
