MIKE LOWRY HAS been named to start on the wing for Ulster as they prepare to travel to face ASM Clermont Auvergne tomorrow in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals [kick-off, 12.30].
The team earned their first victory under Richie Murphy last weekend against Montpellier to progress in the competition, and the head coach has opted to stick with an unchanged front row against Clermont. Steven Kitshoff, Rob Herring and Tom O’Toole will all pack down together while Iain Henderson, starts alongside Alan O’Connor, in the second-row.
Harry Sheridan starts in the back row at blindside flanker, while David McCann and Nick Timoney slot in at seven and eight.
John Cooney and Nathan Doak continued their half-back partnership as Lowry comes into the left wing after missing out last weekend due to a concussion he picked up against the DHL Stormers.
Stuart McCloskey and James Hume link up in the centre, with Rob Baloucoune starting on the right wing and Stewart Moore taking the full-back position.
ASM Clermont Auvergne v Ulster Rugby – Stade Marcel-Michelin, Challenge Cup Quarter-Final (Live on TNT Sports).
- 15. Stewart Moore
- 14. Rob Baloucoune
- 13. James Hume
- 12. Stuart McCloskey
- 11. Mike Lowry
- 10. Nathan Doak
- 9. John Cooney
- 1. Steven Kitshoff
- 2. Rob Herring
- 3. Tom O’Toole
- 4. Alan O’Connor
- 5. Iain Henderson
- 6. Harry Sheridan
- 7. David McCann
- 8. Nick Timoney
Replacements:
- Tom Stewart
- Andy Warwick
- Scott Wilson
- Cormac Izuchukwu
- Dave Ewers
- Jake Flannery
- Ethan McIlroy
- Marcus Rea
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Does the Doak to 10 move seem very shortsighted by the IRFU.
We are so stocked with prospective 10s without enough gametime to point that likes of Healy left or Frawley/Hawkshaw are playing out of position.
While most of established 9s, barring Casey are the wrong side of 30.
Granted its beneficial for a 6/2 split, but seems we leaving ourselves short of options at 9 in just a couple of years
@John Fitz: You may be right. The only counter argument is that the 9s for the U20s in recent years have all shown significant potential. Also if the likes of Frawley, Hawshaw or H Byrne moved north then Doak could revert to 9.
@john Fitz. My suspicion is that they want to see now if Doak can make it at outhalf as he has not reached the reqiired level at scrumhalf. Never a good look to see a player hopping around between two positions. Such a player quite often eventually ends up as a great bench option due to his versatility
Wats wrong with Addison
@Gary Galligan: He obviously cannot sprint any more, more like a jog. Pity because he was a good player before injury.
@Tom Reilly: he was very good last week vs Montpellier
Clermont odds on favourites, no pressure on Ulster, extra games for new coaching to come though before bigger URC games, if win getting a swmi final is a bonus. See this run is Challange cup very different lmto last time were beaten by tigers in swmi final.
@Kingshu: are Clermont going at this properly with first choice team? They quite like a bit of Europe so you’d expect it when they are at home but I’ don’t follow them enough to know