Four Ireland Internationals return as Ulster take on Connacht

March 19, 2026
149
Ultimate Rugby

Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his match day squad to take on Connacht tomorrow evening at Affidea Stadium in Round 13 of the BKT United Rugby Championship. (KO: 7.45pm)

There are two changes to the front row from last week’s victory against Edinburgh with Ireland international, Tom Stewart, returning to start at hooker alongside loosehead prop, Angus Bell, and tighthead prop, Scott Wilson. Wilson makes his 50th appearance in an Ulster jersey and made a try-scoring impact off the bench at Hive Stadium.

Captain Iain Henderson returns to the starting lineup alongside Development lock Joe Hopes in the second row.

The back row sees two changes, with David McCann starting at blindside flanker, Marcus Rea coming in at openside flanker and Juarno Augustus keeps his spot at number eight after his Player of the Match performance last week.

Having made his senior Ireland debut against Wales in the Guinness Six Nations, Nathan Doak, returns to his province to start at scrum-half alongside fly-half Jack Murphy.

There are two changes to Ulster’s backline, with Irish international Jacob Stockdale returning to the starting lineup in the midfield at outside centre. Ben Carson starts at inside centre alongside Stockdale.

In the back three positions, Zac Ward and Werner Kok start on the wings, and Michael Lowry completes the backline at full-back.

Having started for Ireland in their final three rounds of the Six Nations, prop Tom O’Toole returns to the match day squad among the replacements. Murphy has also selected Academy back, Jonny Scott, as a replacement, with the Banbridge man in line for his senior debut should he be called upon.

Rob Herring, Sam Crean, Matthew Dalton and Bryn Ward are the other forward replacements while Conor McKee and Ethan McIlroy also provide the backline cover.

Squad: