Lowry to captain Ulster against Munster at Thomond Park

April 24, 2026
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Ultimate Rugby

Ulster Rugby Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his match day squad to take on Munster in Round 16 of the BKT United Rugby Championship at Thomond Park tomorrow. (KO: 5.30pm)

Michael Lowry captains Ulster for the first time in a competitive match, while there are five Ulster Rugby Academy talents in the match day squad.

Academy players James McKillop, Tom Brigg, and Aitzol Arenzana-King are all set for their senior debuts from the start.

In the front row, Eric O’Sullivan starts at loosehead prop alongside hooker, James McCormick, and tighthead prop, Bryan O’Connor, who makes his first senior Ulster start.

Harry Sheridan and Development lock, Charlie Irvine, start together in the second row.

In a new back row trio, James McKillop starts at blindside flanker, with Tom Brigg at openside flanker and Lorcan McLoughlin at number eight.

Scrum-half, Conor McKee, starts alongside fly-half, Jake Flannery, in the half-back partnership.

In the midfield, Ben Carson starts at inside centre, alongside Ethan McIlory at outside centre.

Ben Moxham makes his first senior start since November 2023 on the left wing, with Academy back, Aitzol Arenzana-King, making his debut on the right wing. Captain, Michael Lowry, starts at full-back.

In a blend of experience and youth among the replacements, Murphy opts for a 5:3 split, with John Andrew, Callum Reid, Tom McAllister, Joe Hopes and Marcus Rea providing the forwards cover.

David Shanahan, James Humphreys and Academy back, Jonny Scott, are the backline replacements.