Province still seeking first URC win of the season

A trip to Pretoria against the free-scoring Bulls carries many challenges for Ulster but Richie Murphy has found his side’s task compounded by a significant injury list.

A week after getting their first win of the season against Zebre in the Challenge Cup, Ulster will look to get a first victory in the United Rugby Championship against a team whose three games to date have seen them score a combined points total of 126 points, the highest in the league

Ulster’s defence has been leaky, even in that win in Parma last weekend and stemming the tide has to be a priority.

Back-to-back games in South Africa require decent reserves of experience but they have been denied that due to the absence of Iain Henderson and Rob Herring who join Zak Ward, James Hume and Eduardo Bello as absentees on this trip.

However, Richie Murphy did receive a boost this week with the news that Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney have been deemed fit to rejoin the squad after missing the win over Zebre with muscle injuries.

Both will supply the kind of experience and physicality required to go up against the South Africans.

McCloskey has been named at inside centre where he will partner Jamie Benson while Timoney returns to the scrum as open side flanker.

The selection also features eight of the players named in Ireland’s upcoming Nations Championship squad, underlining the quality still available to Ulster despite their injury problems.

Keynan Knox came through the youth system at Sharks before moving to Munster and eventually ended up at Ravenhill. He forms a front row with Tom O’Toole and Tom Stewart.

Ben O’Donnell and Cormac Izuchukwu make up the second row while arguably Ulster’s most consistent performer so far this season Juarno Augustus, formerly of Stormers, retains his place at number eight.

Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy form the half-back partnership while Jacob Stockdale remains at full-back, meaning Michael Lowry and Chay Mullins take the spots on the wing.

Richie Murphy has opted for a six-two split on the bench, with Henry Walker, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Eli Snyman, James McNabney and James McKillop providing forward cover. Matthew Devine and Jake Flannery are the two backline replacements.

While Ulster arrive on the back of that win over Zebre, the Bulls themselves came in on the back of morale-boosting victory having continued to rack up the big scores in their 56-20 Champions Cup victory over Stade Français.

Ulster were 28-7 winners over the Bulls in Belfast last season but they are altogether different prospect on their home patch and the province will have their work cut out if they are to finally get that first URC victory of the season.

Ulster (v Bulls): 1. Tom O’Toole; 2. Tom Stewart (C); 3. Keynan Knox; 4. Ben Donnell; 5. Cormac Izuchukwu; 6. David McCann; 7. Nick Timoney; 8. Juarno Augustus; 9. Nathan Doak; 10. Jack Murphy; 11. Michael Lowry; 12. Stuart McCloskey; 13. Jamie Benson; 14. Chay Mullins; 15. Jacob Stockdale

Replacements: 16. Henry Walker; 17. Eric O’Sullivan; 18. Scott Wilson; 19. Eli Snyman; 20. James McNabney; 21. Matthew Devine; 22. Jake Flannery; 23. James McKillop