Irish squad members return as Ulster take on Ospreys in Wales

February 27, 2026
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Ultimate Rugby

Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his match day squad to take on Ospreys tomorrow in Round 12 of the BKT United Rugby Championship. (KO: 7.45pm)

Murphy welcomes back four of Ulster’s Irish Six Nations squad members into the starting XV for tomorrow’s fixture.

Cormac Izuchukwu sustained a concussion in training this week and he will now follow World Rugby Graduated Return to Play Protocols.

In the front row, experienced prop Eric O’Sullivan starts at loosehead, with Irish international hooker Tom Stewart back in from the start. Scott Wilson starts at tighthead prop.

Captain Iain Henderson brings his leadership and experience in the second row alongside Development lock Charlie Irvine.

The 23-year-old lock scored his first Ulster try in the Round 11 victory over Cardiff Rugby at Affidea Stadium last month.

In the back row, Matty Dalton continues at blindside flanker, Bryn Ward returns from Irish camp to start at openside flanker and David McCann starts at number eight.

Nathan Doak returns to start at scrum-half alongside Jack Murphy at fly-half.

In an exciting midfield partnership, Jude Postlethwaite returns to the starting XV at inside centre, joining James Hume at outside centre.

In the back three, in form wings Zac Ward and Werner Kok start on the left and right respectively. Michael Lowry starts at full-back.

Murphy goes for a 5:3 split among the replacements, with Rob Herring, Angus Bell, Bryan O’Connor, Harry Sheridan and Marcus Rea providing the forward impact from the bench.

Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Ben Carson are the backline replacements.