Henderson returns for Champions Cup opener against Bath
The Ulster match day squad has been named for Saturday’s opening round of the Heineken Champions Cup against Bath at The Recreation Ground (kick-off 1.00pm).
Iain Henderson returns from international duty and will lead out the Ulster men for the first time since being named club captain. He is one of four changes to the team that recorded a narrow loss to interprovincial rivals Munster at Thomond Park last week.
Will Addison comes back into the full-back position, joining last week’s starting wingers, Jacob Stockdale and Rob Lyttle in the back three. Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall will retain their midfield partnership. In the half-backs, Billy Burns returns to take the fly-half position and may well play against his brother, Freddie, in this game. Burns will once again pair up with John Cooney at scrum-half.
The front row remains unchanged from the Munster game last week. Jack McGrath will pack down at loosehead, Rob Herring at hooker, and Marty Moore at tighthead. Henderson is partnered in the engine room for the first time with summer signing Sam Carter. Matthew Rea returns to blindside flanker, while Jordi Murphy retains the openside position, and Marcell Coetzee comes back to the base of the pack at number eight.
Forward replacements include Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor and Sean Reidy. In the backline reinforcements, David Shanahan is set to make his 50th appearance for Ulster and is joined by Angus Curtis and Louis Ludik.
Ulster team to play Bath Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup Round 1, Saturday 15 November, The Recreation Ground (1.00pm, live on Channel 4, Virgin Media & BT Sport):
(15-9) Will Addison, Rob Lyttle, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney.
(1-8) Jack McGrath, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Iain Henderson (Capt.), Sam Carter, Matthew Rea, Jordi Murphy, Marcell Coetzee.
Replacements: Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Sean Reidy, David Shanahan, Angus Curtis, Louis Ludik.
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