McAllister to make senior debut as Ulster take on Edinburgh

March 12, 2026
206
Ultimate Rugby

Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster match day squad to face Edinburgh in tomorrow’s rescheduled BKT United Rugby Championship Round 2 at Hive Stadium. (KO: 7.45pm)

Academy forward, Tom McAllister, makes his senior men’s debut starting at tighthead prop.

The former Ireland U20s player is joined in the front row by Wallaby loosehead, Angus Bell, and experienced hooker Rob Herring, who captains the side.

Iain Henderson has joined the Ireland squad this week to assist with preparations ahead of Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations fixture v Scotland at Aviva Stadium.

In the second row, Harry Sheridan starts alongside Development lock Charlie Irvine.

Cormac Izuchukwu returns to the starting lineup at blindside flanker having returned from Ireland camp. The forward started for his country against Italy at Aviva Stadium in Round 2 of the Guinness Six Nations.

Academy forward, Bryn Ward, is also back from Irish camp to start at openside flanker and South African number eight, Juarno Augustus, returns to the starting lineup following his recovery from an ankle injury.

In the half back positions, experienced scrum-half David Shanahan starts alongside Jack Murphy at fly-half.

The backline remains unchanged from Round 12, with Jude Postlethwaite and James Hume forming the midfield partnership at inside and outside centre respectively.

Zac Ward retains his place at left wing, with Werner Kok on the right wing and Michael Lowry starting at full-back.

Murphy opts for a 5:3 split among the replacements.

James McCormick, Sam Crean, Scott Wilson, Joe Hopes and David McCann are the forward replacements, with Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Ben Carson the backline options.