Ulster men back in front of a home crowd to face Cardiff

Al O’Connor retains his starting position from last week, and will captain Friday’s side from the second row alongside Ulster Rugby Academy graduate, Harry Sheridan.

A changed front row from last week’s game in Clermont sees Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart and Scott Wilson get the nod.

In the back row, David McCann makes the switch to the number eight jersey, and will pack down alongside Dave Ewers and Marcus Rea.

After a number of weeks on the road, the home crowd will see Nathan Doak and Jake Flannery take to the pitch at Kingspan Stadium as the half-back partnership.

In the centre pairing, James Hume is named alongside 22-year-old Jude Postlethwaite.

On the left wing, Jacob Stockdale makes a return to the starting line-up, with Mike Lowry moving to the right wing after last week’s test in France.

Will Addison completes the starting line-up at full-back.

On the bench, the forward reinforcements named are John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Cormac Izuchukwu and Greg Jones. John Cooney, Billy Burns and Ethan McIlroy will be the back options.

Ulster Rugby v Cardiff Rugby, Kingspan Stadium, Friday 19 April, 7 35pm

(15-9): Will Addison, Mike Lowry, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Jake Flannery, Nathan Doak;

(1-8): Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Alan O’Connor, Dave Ewers, Marcus Rea, Dave McCann. 

Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Cormac Izuchukwu, Greg Jones, John Cooney, Billy Burns, Ethan McIlroy.