Rugby: Herring returns to skipper Ulster in South Africa
Stormers v Ulster, Saturday March 30th (5.15pm)
Interim Head Coach Richie Murphy has named his team for Ulster’s second match of the club’s South Africa tour, as they take on Stormers in the United Rugby Championship tomorrow.
Ulster will be aiming to end their time in South Africa with a positive result, after suffering a 22-12 away defeat to the Sharks in Durban last weekend.
Captain Iain Henderson misses out due to illness this week, so hooker Rob Herring will lead the side in Cape Town.
Joining him in the front row, World Cup-winning Springbok, Steven Kitshoff, returns to the DHL Stadium to face his former team, and Tom O’Toole starts at tighthead prop. The second row sees Harry Sheridan and Kieran Treadwell start as the lock pairing, a week after both scored tries in Durban.
In the back row, Matty Rea starts at blindside flanker, with David McCann and Nick Timoney retaining their places in the team at openside and eight from last weekend.
John Cooney starts at scrum-half and is joined by Nathan Doak at ten to form the half-back partnership. Ethan McIlroy starts on the left wing, with Rob Baloucoune returning to the starting line-up at right wing.
Stuart McCloskey and James Hume retain their partnership in the centre positions, and Mike Lowry completes the backfield at full-back.
Tom Stewart, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Jake Flannery, Stewart Moore provide the replacement options from the bench.
Ulster team to play Stormers, Saturday March 30th (5.15pm)
(15-9): Mike Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Ethan McIlroy, Nathan Doak, John Cooney;
(1-8): Steven Kitshoff, Rob Herring (C), Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, David McCann, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Jake Flannery, Stewart Moore