Ulster side named for Cardiff clash at Affidea Stadium
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Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his matchday squad to face Cardiff Rugby in Round 11 of the BKT United Rugby Championship at Affidea Stadium tomorrow evening.
The squad features six players who have been called up to the Ireland XV side to face England ‘A’ next Friday at Thomond Park.
The front row sees two changes from last week, with Australian international loosehead prop Angus Bell joined by hooker Rob Herring and tighthead prop Scott Wilson.
The second row remains unchanged, with captain Iain Henderson joined by Development lock, Charlie Irvine.
In the back row, Matthew Dalton starts at blindside flanker, Marcus Rea makes his first start of the season at openside flanker and David McCann starts at number eight.
In the half-back partnership, scrum-half Conor McKee joins fly-half Jack Murphy.
Ethan McIlroy makes his first start of the season at full-back
There are three changes to the backline, with the in-form Zac Ward coming back in to start on the left wing.
In the midfield positions, Ben Carson makes his first URC start of the season at inside centre, joined by James Hume at outside centre.
Completing the backline, Ethan McIlroy makes his first start of the season at full-back.
Murphy opts for a 5:3 split among the replacements, with Bryan O’Connor, Lorcan McLoughlin and Ben Moxham all in line for their first appearances of the season.
Moxham makes a welcome return to the matchday 23 after his recovery from an ACL injury sustained back in November 2024.
James McCormick, Sam Crean, O’Connor, Harry Sheridan, and McLoughlin provide the forward cover.
David Shanahan, Jake Flannery and Moxham are the backline options.
Backline player, Ben Moxham, is in line for his first senior appearance since November 2024
Ulster Rugby v Cardiff Rugby, Saturday 31st January 2026, 7.45pm, Round 11, BKT United Rugby Championship, Affidea Stadium (Live on Premier Sports)
(Player appearances in brackets)
1. Angus Bell (6)
2. Rob Herring (263)
3. Scott Wilson (46)
4. Iain Henderson (Capt) (169)
5. Charlie Irvine (6)
6. Matthew Dalton (19)
7. Marcus Rea (55)
8. David McCann (80)
9. Conor McKee (11)
10. Jack Murphy (24)
11. Zac Ward (18)
12. Ben Carson (14)
13. James Hume (110)
14. Werner Kok (24)
15. Ethan McIlroy (69)
Replacements:
16. James McCormick (11)
17. Sam Crean (11)
18. Bryan O’Connor (2)
19. Harry Sheridan (53)
20. Lorcan McLoughlin (2)
21. David Shanahan (101)
22. Jake Flannery (31)
23. Ben Moxham (38)
