URC
Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria
Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria
10 minutes ago
News
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
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
Ulster ready for Emirates Lions in Johannesburg
2 hours ago
News
Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster side to take on Emirates Lions tomorrow at Emirates Airline Park in Round 2 of the BKT United Rugby Championship. (KO: 11.55AM)
Alan O’Connor captains the team in the second row, where he is joined by Kieran Treadwell.
Andy Warwick starts at loosehead prop, joined by John Andrew at hooker and tighthead prop, Tom O’Toole, to form the front row.
Packing down behind the front five, Matty Rea gets the nod at blindside flanker, with Sean Reffell starting on the openside. Nick Timoney retains his position at number eight.
The half back partnership sees John Cooney make a return at scrum-half after a hamstring injury ruled him out of the opening round last weekend.
After scoring a try on his debut last week against Glasgow Warriors, Aidan Morgan, again starts at ten.
Richie makes two changes to the backline of Round 1, with Stuart McCloskey back in the squad and starting at inside centre, alongside outside centre, Stewart Moore.
After getting a taste of action from the bench last week, this weekend will see South African winger, Werner Kok, make his first start in an Ulster jersey.
Jacob Stockdale provides the threat going forward from the left wing.
Ethan McIlroy retains his spot at full-back, completing the starting XV.
Murphy opts for a 6:2 split on the bench, with James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson, James McNabney and David McCann providing the forward options.
Scrum-half, Nathan Doak, and Mike Lowry form the backline options.
Emirates Lions v Ulster Rugby, Saturday 28 September, Round 2 BKT United Rugby Championship, 11.55am, Emirates Airline Park. (Live on Premier Sports)
(1-8) Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor (C), Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney;
(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, John Cooney.
Replacements:
James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson, James McNabney, Nathan Doak, Mike Lowry, David McCann.
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Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria
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