Challenge Cup: Henderson and Kitshoff passed fit as Murphy makes two changes

Iain Henderson and Steven Kitshoff have both been passed fit for Ulster’s Challenge Cup Quarter-Final clash away to Clermont tomorrow.

Interim Head Coach Richie Murphy has made two changes to the side that beat Montpellier last week, with Mike Lowry and Harry Sheridan coming in for Will Addison and Matty Rea.

This weekend, club captain Henderson starts alongside Alan O’Connor in the second-row engine room, while Murphy opts for an unchanged front row, with Kitshoff, Rob Herring and Tom O’Toole packing down together.

The back row sees Sheridan start at blindside flanker, last week’s Player of the Match, David McCann, at openside and Nick Timoney at eight. John Cooney and Nathan Doak once again keep their places as Ulster’s half-back partnership.

The backfield sees two changes to last week’s win in France.

Mike Lowry returns to the team on the left wing, after missing last weekend after a concussion against the DHL Stormers.

Stuart McCloskey will hope to continue where he left off in France, after a try last weekend in the closing stages. The Ireland international is joined by James Hume in the centre partnership.

Rob Baloucoune starts on the right wing and Stewart Moore starts at full-back to complete the backfield.

Murphy opts again for a 6:2 split on the bench, with Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave Ewers and Marcus Rea providing the forward options.

Jake Flannery and Ethan McIlroy will be the back options from the bench.

Clermont v Ulster, Saturday April 13 (12.30pm)

15-9: Stewart Moore, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Mike Lowry, Nathan Doak, John Cooney;

1-8: Steven Kitshoff, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Iain Henderson (C), Harry Sheridan, David McCann, Nick Timoney

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave Ewers, Jake Flannery, Ethan McIlroy, Marcus Rea.