Ulster name their 23 for trip to Connacht

December 24, 2025
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Ultimate Rugby

Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his matchday squad for Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship Round 8 interprovincial fixture against Connacht at Dexcom Stadium. (KO: 5.30pm)

There are six changes to the starting lineup from last week’s Round 7 defeat against Leinster.

Cormac Izuchukwu returns to the starting lineup for the first time since October, after missing out through injury and illness last week.

The Irish international forward committed his future to Ulster this week with a two-year contract extension and he starts alongside Harry Sheridan in the second row.

Sheridan is in line for his 50th appearance for his province.

There are two changes to the starting front row, with Sam Crean starting at loosehead prop and Scott Wilson starting at tighthead. Tom Stewart retains his position at hooker following an impressive try-scoring performance against Leinster in Dublin.

The back row trio remain unchanged, with David McCann starting at blindside flanker and captain, Nick Timoney, starting at openside flanker. Juarno Augustus starts at number eight to complete the forward pack.

In the half-backs, scrum-half, Conor McKee, makes his first interprovincial start alongside Jack Murphy at ten.

There are two personnel changes in the backline, with Zac Ward coming in to start on the left flank and James Hume returning to the midfield after he missed out last week with illness.

Hume forms a formidable centre partnership with Stuart McCloskey, who retains his spot at inside centre.

The in-form Werner Kok starts on the right wing and Jacob Stockdale starts at full-back.

John Andrew, Angus Bell, Tom O’Toole, Joe Hopes and Bryn Ward are the forwards cover among the replacements, while Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery and Jude Postlethwaite provide the backline replacement options.