Dec 20,2024
Ulster and Munster have both named much-changed sides for Friday night's United Rugby Championship Interpro at Kingspan Stadium, as they count the cost of last week's Champions Cup defeats.
Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Cormac Izuchukwu and Nathan Doak all miss out for Richie Murphy's side after picking up injuries in the 40-19 loss against Bordeaux-Begles, but John Cooney is available again, and starts at scrum-half.
Munster's defeat to Castres has also limited Ian Costello's options, with Craig Casey and Thaakir Abrahams on the long-term injury list, while Peter O'Mahony and Diarmuid Barron have failed to shake off knocks picked up in France.
Captain Tadhg Beirne is also unavailable to the province due to IRFU player management.
Cooney returns at scrum-half for Ulster having missed both Champions Cup defeats due to a hamstring injury, and the 34-year-old comes in for Doak as one of five changes to the team.
It's the only change to the backline, which sees out-half Aidan Morgan and wing Werner Kok both start after being doubtful in the week due to injury.
Stuart McCloskey and Jude Postlethwaite pair up in a powerful looking centre partnership, while Sevens international Zac Ward starts again on the left wing, with Mike Lowry continuing at full-back.
The bulk of the changes are in the pack, with Andrew Warwick starting over Eric O'Sullivan at loosehead, and joining Rob Herring and Tom O'Toole in the front row.
Alan O'Connor comes in to replace the injured Henderson at lock, and captains the team alongside Kieran Treadwell in the second row.
James McNabney and Marcus Rea start at flanker, with Izuchukwu and Timoney ruled out, while David McCann keeps his place at number 8.
Munster have made six changes with all but one of them enforced, the exception being Gavin Coombes returning at number 8, as Brian Gleeson drops to the bench.
He's joined in the back row by Jack O'Donoghue - who captains the side in Beirne and Barron's absence - while John Hodnett is retained after his two-try haul last week.
Tom Ahern comes into the second row, and the 24-year-old partners Fineen Wycherley at lock. The pair provide support for John Ryan, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer at the scrum, with Ryan replacing the injured Dian Bleuler at loosehead.
Paddy Patterson starts, as expected, at scrum-half following Casey's injury, and Jack Crowley is retained at out-half.
Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell go again in the centre, with Shane Daly returning on the left wing, and Calvin Nash and Mike Haley completing the back three.
Ulster: Michael Lowry; Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Zac Ward; Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole; Alan O'Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Marcus Rea, David McCann.
Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O'Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Matty Rea, Dave Shanahan, Jack Murphy, Rory Telfer.
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Paddy Patterson; John Ryan, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Tom Ahern, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O'Donoghue (capt), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Dave Kilcoyne, Oli Jager, Evan O’Connell, Alex Kendellen, Ethan Coughlan, Rory Scannell, Brian Gleeson.
