Dan McFarland forced to ring the changes but can call on four returning internationals

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland has made seven modifications to his beginning line-up for this afternoon’s journey to the Scarlets.

After starting their season with a bonus-point win over Connacht in Ravenhill final week, close to wholesale alterations had been inevitable given each the absence of the Rising Eire gamers and the returns of those that toured New Zealand with the nationwide aspect in the course of the summer season. 

The previous group headed to Dublin yesterday earlier than Sunday’s journey to South Africa, taking Tom Stewart, Nathan Doak, Robert Baloucoune, Stewart Moore, Callum Reid and Cormac Izuchukwu all out the reckoning from final week’s match-day 23, whereas additionally rendering Michael McDonald, Jake Flannery and Ethan McIlroy unavailable.

Their absence is offset by the picks of Rob Herring, Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney and Mike Lowry within the run-on aspect. 

Lowry begins at full-back, occupying the jersey worn nicely by Moore final week, with Aaron Sexton getting a primary senior begin on the wing rather than Baloucoune. 

Rob Herring straight back in at hooker
Rob Herring straight again in at hooker

Jacob Stockdale continues on the left to spherical out the back-three.

After dovetailing goodly in opposition to Connacht, Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall get one other run collectively within the midfield.

With Doak away, John Cooney’s first rugby of the season after a calf niggle is well-timed and he traces out once more with common half-back accomplice Billy Burns.

Herring, who in his final motion scored the essential strive within the historic third Check win over New Zealand, comes straight again in at hooker for Stewart, whereas the return to health of Andy Warwick sees Eric O’Sullivan drop to the bench.

Marty Moore is the one member of final week’s front-row who goes once more.

Kieran Treadwell, whose inventory rose so significantly in New Zealand, joins Alan O’Connor within the second-row together with his fellow vacationer, Nick Timoney, taking the place of David McCann at quantity eight in a unfastened ahead trio additionally comprising the Rea brothers Matty and Marcus.

Tom O’Toole is the one member of the returning Eire gamers who begins the sport on the bench, the place he's joined by Sean Reffell who will make his senior Ulster bow if referred to as upon as a substitute. 


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