Ulster side named for Cheetahs Challenge Cup clash in Amsterdam
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Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster match day squad to take on the Toyota Cheetahs in Round 3 of the EPCR Challenge Cup at NRCA Stadium this Sunday. (KO: 3.15pm UK/IRL time)
There are ten changes to the starting lineup from last weekend’s 28-3 victory over Munster in the BKT United Rugby Championship, with a first Ulster start for Bradley McNamara in the backline.
Murphy opts for a new front row, with Sam Crean starting at loosehead prop alongside record appearance holding hooker and captain, Rob Herring, with Scott Wilson at tighthead prop.
The second row sees one change from last weekend, with Harry Sheridan starting alongside Development forward, Joe Hopes.
Murphy opts for a fresh back row trio, with David McCann starting at blindside flanker, Sean Reffell starting at openside flanker and Lorcan McLoughlin, who makes his first start of the season at number eight.
Lorcan McLoughlin is named at number eight.
In the half-back positions, scrum-half Nathan Doak starts alongside Jake Flannery at fly-half.
The backline has two changes, with in-form wings Zac Ward and Werner Kok retaining their positions on the left and right channels.
Jude Postlethwaite comes in to start at inside centre alongside James Hume at outside centre.
At full-back, there is a first senior Ulster start for McNamara, who made his debut against Cardiff in Round 2.
Murphy goes for a 5:3 split among the replacements with James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Bryan O’Connor, Matthew Dalton and Marcus Rea providing the forward cover options.
David Shanahan, James Humphreys and Ben Carson are the backline replacements.
Bradley McNamara is in line for his first senior Ulster start.
Toyota Cheetahs v Ulster Rugby, ECPR Challenge Cup Round 3, Sunday 11th January, 3.15pm, NRCA Stadium (Live on EPCR.tv)
(Player appearances in brackets)
1. Sam Crean (10)
2. Rob Herring (261) (Capt)
3. Scott Wilson (44)
4. Harry Sheridan (51)
5. Joe Hopes (7)
6. David McCann (78)
7. Sean Reffell (14)
8. Lorcan McLoughlin (2)
9. Nathan Doak (98)
10. Jake Flannery (29)
11. Zac Ward (17)
12. Jude Postlethwaite (38)
13. James Hume (108)
14. Werner Kok (23)
15. Bradley McNamara (1)
Replacements:
16. James McCormick (11)
17. Eric O’Sullivan (130)
18. Bryan O’Connor (2)
19. Matthew Dalton (17)
20. Marcus Rea (55)
21. David Shanahan (101)
22. James Humphreys (6)
23. Ben Carson (14)
