Ulster team for blockbuster interior against Munster

January 01, 2026
198
Ultimate Rugby

Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his matchday squad to take on Munster tomorrow night in Round 9 of the BKT United Rugby Championship at a sold out Affidea Stadium.

Murphy makes five changes from last week’s bonus-point victory against Connacht at Dexcom Stadium, with Ireland international, Iain Henderson, returning to captain the side following a back injury.

The front row sees two changes, with Wallaby international Angus Bell starting at loosehead for his first interpro in Belfast. Tom Stewart retains his spot at hooker, and Tom O’Toole starts at tighthead prop.

Henderson is joined by 21 year-old Development forward, Joe Hopes, in the second row.

After returning from injury with a Player of the Match performance in Galway, Cormac Izuchukwu shifts to blindside flanker for the opening match of 2026. Nick Timoney starts at openside flanker and Academy forward, Bryn Ward, starts at number eight.

Scrum-half Nathan Doak returns to the starting line up alongside fly-half Jack Murphy in the half back positions.

The in-form backline remains unchanged from last week. Zac Ward starts on the left wing after his double against Connacht, with the league’s leading try scorer, Werner Kok, providing his threat and energy from the right wing.

Stuart McCloskey and James Hume form the midfield centre partnership. Jacob Stockdale completes the backfield at full-back.

There are two welcome additions from injury among the replacements, with record appearance holding hooker, Rob Herring, returning to the matchday squad and experienced loosehead prop, Eric O’Sullivan, also named.

Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan and David McCann are the forward options, while Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Jude Postlethwaite provide the backline cover.