LAST UPDATE | 8 Apr 2022
BEN MOXHAM WILL make his first European start on Ulsterโs left wing as Dan McFarlandโs men make the trip to Toulouse for Saturdayโs Heineken Champions Cup last-16 first leg at the Stadium de Toulouse (15:15, BT Sport).
The 20-year-old Larne man is joined in the back three by Robert Baloucoune on the opposite side and Mike Lowry at fullback, while Stuart McCloskey returns to the northern provinceโs starting lineup to partner James Hume in midfield. John Cooney partners Billy Burns in Ulsterโs returning half-back pairing.
Eric OโSullivan and Rob Herring will start at loosehead and hooker, with Marty Moore retaining his place at tighthead.
Alan OโConnor joins skipper Iain Henderson in the second row, while Marcus Rea comes in at blindside flanker.
McFarland has a fair bit of beef on the bench in the shapes of Brad Roberts, Andrew Warwick, Tom OโToole, Kieran Treadwell and Jordi Murphy, while Nathan Doak, Luke Marshall and Rob Lyttle will offer backline refreshment when required.
Ugo Molaโs Toulouse are bolstered by the return from injury of centre Pita Ahki, who partners Zach Holmes in the middle.
Anthony Jelonch, who hasnโt featured since before the Six Nations, makes the European championsโ bench.
The French giants are enduring an indifferent season, currently sitting fifth in the Top 14, but Toulouse have lost just one of their last 10 home knockout games in the Champions Cup โ to Leinster in 2005/06.
Toulouse
- 15. Thomas Ramos
- 14. Juan Cruz Mallia
- 13. Zack Holmes
- 12. Pita Ahki
- 11. Matthis Lebel
- 10. Romain Ntamack
- 9. Antoine Dupont
- 1. Rodrigue Neti
- 2. Peato Mauvaka
- 3. Dorian Aldegheri
- 4. Rory Arnold
- 5. Emmanuel Meafou
- 6. Rynhardt Elstadt
- 7. Thibaud Flament
- 8. Francois Cros
Replacements:
- 16. Guillaume Cramont
- 17. Cyril Baille
- 18. Richie Arnold
- 19. Anthony Jelonch
- 20. Alban Placines
- 21. Martin Page Relo
- 22. Sofiane Guitoune
Ulster
- 15. Mike Lowry
- 14. Robert Baloucoune
- 13. James Hume
- 12. Stuart McCloskey
- 11. Ben Moxham
- 10. Billy Burns
- 9. John Cooney
- 1. Eric OโSullivan
- 2. Rob Herring
- 3. Marty Moore
- 4. Alan OโConnor
- 5. Iain Henderson (Captain)
- 6. Marcus Rea
- 7. Nick Timoney
- 8. Duane Vermeulen
Replacements:
- Brad Roberts
- Andrew Warwick
- Tom OโToole
- Kieran Treadwell
- Jordi Murphy
- Nathan Doak
- Luke Marshall
- Rob Lyttle
- Updated at 13:25 with Toulouseโs team
League of Ireland is buzzing this weekend.
Think both top teams will win tonight. Gonna be some night in Oriel Park next Friday. โMon the town.
Oh dear!!