Iain Henderson will captain Ulster while fellow Irish stars Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale also start as the province target a third straight win
Ulster boss Richie Murphy has named a team including four of the recently announced Ireland squad for Saturday’s clash with the Sharks in Durban. The province are gunning for a third win in a row in the URC after hammering the Bulls last week and beating the Dragons first time out this season.
Iain Henderson will captain Ulster while fellow Irish squad call-ups Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale also start as the province target a third straight win. Murphy makes five personnel changes to the starting lineup from last week’s Round 3 victory over Vodacom Bulls.
There are first starts of the season for hooker, Tom Stewart, and tighthead prop, Scott Wilson, who join loosehead prop, Sam Crean, in the front row. Ireland international, Henderson, captains the side in the second row, paired alongside Harry Sheridan.
The back-row remains unchanged, as David McCann starts at blindside flanker, Timoney at openside flanker and Juarno Augustus at number eight. After a Player of the Match performance against Vodacom Bulls, Nathan Doak continues at scrum-half alongside Jack Murphy at fly-half. There are two changes to Ulster’s exciting backline, as Michael Lowry is fit again to start at full-back.
Ireland international, Stockdale, starts on the left wing, with Werner Kok facing his former club on the right wing. McCloskey and James Hume continue in their strong midfield centre partnership at twelve and thirteen.
Development lock, Joe Hopes, is named among the replacements, with the former Ireland U20s forward in line to make his first senior Ulster appearance since his debut in November 2023 against Connacht..
The Sharks have named a strong team to face Ulster and have recalled five of their Rugby Championship-winning South Africa internationals in the shape of Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams and Andre Esterhuizen..
Here is everything you need to know about the game.
When is the game?
Saturday 18th October at 3pm
Where is the game?
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Is the game on TV?
Yes, the game will be shown live on Premier Sports and on the Premier Sports player.
Team news
Sharks: E van der Merwe; E Hooker, J Julius, A Esterhuizen, M Mapimpi; S Masuku, G Williams; O Nche, B Mbonambi, V Koch, E Etzebeth, M Orie, S Kolisi, V Tshituka (capt), P Buthelezi.
Replacements: F Mbatha, S Matanzima, R Dreyer, B Hlekani, E Tshituka, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, L Am.
Ulster: M Lowry; W Kok; J Hume, S McCloskey; J Stockdale; J Murphy, N Doak; S Crean, T Stewart, S Wilson; I Henderson, H Sheridan; D McCann, N Timoney, J Augustus.
Replacements: R Herring, C Reid, T O’Toole, J Hopes, S Reffell, C McKee, J Flannery, J Postlethwaite.
Betting odds
Sharks 10/11 Ulster 10/11 Draw 20/1
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