URC
Ulster ready to take on Glasgow in season opener
Ulster ready to take on Glasgow in season opener
Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster team to face Glasgow Warriors in Round 1 of the United Rugby Championship at Kingspan Stadium (KO 7 45pm).
Captain, Iain Henderson, skippers the side, as he starts alongside Kieran Treadwell in the second row.
You can get your tickets for this unmissable clash via the button below:
The front row sees Eric O’Sullivan start at loosehead prop, John Andrew at hooker and Corrie Barrett, who signed a contract with the province this week, at tighthead prop.
Development talent, James McNabney, gets the nod at blindside flanker where he is joined by last season’s Bank of Ireland Men’s Player of the Year, David McCann, at openside flanker.
Nick Timoney starts at number eight.
After starting both pre-season friendlies against Benetton and Exeter Chiefs, scrum-half, Nathan Doak, and fly-half, Aidan Morgan, line up together as the half-back partnership to kick off the season.
Jacob Stockdale starts on the left wing, with the Ireland international hoping to continue his fine try-scoring form from last season.
After captaining the province for the first time in pre-season, Mike Lowry, starts on the right wing.
Jude Postlethwaite, who was one of six Ulstermen named in the upcoming Emerging Ireland tour, starts at inside centre and is joined by Stewart Moore at outside centre.
Ethan McIlroy starts at full-back, completing the starting XV.
Murphy opts for a 5:3 split on the Ulster bench, with three players potentially in line for their Senior Men’s debuts.
Two Development players, hooker, James McCormick, and fly-half, James Humphreys, are in contention for an appearance and new summer signing, Werner Kok, will also be hoping to make his debut in an Ulster jersey at Kingspan Stadium.
Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan and Cormac Izuchukwu provide the other forward replacements.
Dave Shanahan provides cover at scrum-half on the bench.
Ulster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors, Saturday 21 September, 7.45pm, United Rugby Championship, Round 1, Kingspan Stadium (Live on Premier Sports, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster).
(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Mike Lowry, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;
(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, James McNabney, David McCann, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: James McCormick, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Werner Kok.
Our opposition
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
URC
Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria
Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria
Ulster Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster side to take on Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Round 3 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
The starting XV features three players who make their first competitive starts in an Ulster jersey.
Hooker, James McCormick, and centre, Ben Carson, are given the nod for their first starts, with academy lock, Charlie Irvine, in line for his Ulster debut, starting in the second row alongside captain, Iain Henderson.
Joining McCormick in the front row is loosehead prop, Andrew Warwick, and tighthead prop, Corrie Barrett, who scored his first try in an Ulster shirt last weekend against Emirates Lions.
The back row features Development talent, James McNabney, at blindside flanker, with Sean Reffell starting on the openside and David McCann coming in at eight.
The half-back partnership sees Nathan Doak start at scrum-half alongside fly-half, Aidan Morgan, who last weekend made it two tries in his opening two appearances for the province.
Jacob Stockdale starts on the left wing, with Werner Kok starting on the right wing. Kok also scored his first try for the province in last weekend’s match in Johannesburg.
Outside Centre, Stewart Moore, joins Ben Carson at twelve, to form the midfield partnership.
Mike Lowry completes the starting XV at full-back.
Murphy opts for a 5:3 split for the reinforcements on the bench.
Two replacements, hooker Tadgh McElroy and development fly-half, James Humphreys, are also in line to make their debuts for Ulster’s senior side.
Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor and Nick Timoney form the forward options from the bench, with Dave Shanahan and Ben Moxham providing the back options.
Vodacom Bulls v Ulster Rugby, Saturday 5th October, 3pm, Round 3, BKT United Rugby Championship, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (Live on Premier Sports)
(1-8) Andrew Warwick, James McCormick, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson (C), Charlie Irvine, James McNabney, Sean Reffell, David McCann
(15-9) Mike Lowry, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Ben Carson, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;
Replacements: Tadgh McElroy, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Nick Timoney, Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Ben Moxham.
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
URC
Gavin Coombes Set For 100th Munster Appearance
Tomorrow’s Round 2 clash away against Zebre Parma will see Gavin Coombes make his 100th Munster appearance.
Gavin started his rugby career at Skibbereen RFC before lining out with Bandon Grammar School in his teenage years.
Coombes then joined the Munster Rugby Academy ahead of the 2016/17 season where he lined out for Young Munster in Division 1A of the men’s All Ireland League and played a large role in Munster winning the B&I Cup in 2017.
The Skibbereen man made his Munster debut as an Academy player in the opening game of the 2018/19 season against the Cheetahs and went on to make eight Guinness PRO14 appearances over the campaign. The following year he also made a brief appearance in the PRO14 semi-final.
He had an outstanding 2020/21 season, after scoring 15 tries in 22 appearances, a new record for the most tries in one season for the province, and included a try on his Champions Cup debut against Harlequins. He was then named Munster Rugby’s youngest ever Player of the Year at the end of that season.
He missed the start of the 22/23 season due to injury, but returned to full training in October, and ended up scoring 14 tries in 22 Munster appearances in the club’s title winning year.
Last season he played in all 25 games, with 20 of those in the starting XV, playing at number 8 and in the second row. He continued is try-scoring prowess and finished the season with 7 tries to his name.
He has represented Ireland internationally on numerous occasions, including with the U20s, Ireland A, and the Ireland senior squad.
He was called up to the Ireland senior squad during the 2021 Six Nations, made his first two appearances against Japan and the USA in the 2021 Vodafone Summer Series, played against the Maori All Blacks in their 2022 New Zealand tour, and was then selected as part of the wider 2023 Six Nations and World Cup Squads.
Gavin Coombes | Record 15 Munster Tries In 2020/21
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
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