Ulster team named for Dragon's meeting

Ulster go into Round 17 of the BKT United Rugby Championship looking to make it four wins in-a-row.

Dan McFarland’s men go into Friday's game with Dragon's third in the URC standings and are already guaranteed a top four spot. Therefore a home quarter-final on the weekend of 5/6 May.

However, they will continue to push for a top two spot that would secure home advantage through to the semi-finals.

Second place is currently occupied by the DHL Stormers, just two points ahead of Ulster, who will be hoping interprovincial counterparts Munster will do them a favour when they take on the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday evening.

The Dragons have had a difficult campaign this year, sitting in 15th position in the league, with just three wins from 16 outings.

"The Dragons come here with nothing to lose” said Ulster skills coach Craig Newby. “We have reviewed them and have looked at areas we need to tidy up on”.

“We play better when we are at home and we have to focus on winning these two games and our quarter-final.”

Starting in the second row is Ulster captain Alan O’Connor, who is joined by Wallaby Sam Carter at right lock.

Ulster Rugby Academy graduate David McCann is given the nod at flanker. McCann is joined by Marcus Rea who returns to the starting 15.

World Cup winning Springbok, Duane Vermeulen, keeps his place at number 8. Fresh from committing his future to Ulster last week, our leading point’s scorer this season, John Cooney, starts at scrum-half, alongside the experienced fly half Billy Burns.

The midfield has a familiar partnership as James Hume and Stuart McCloskey pair up in the centre for Ulster.

The back line is changed as Ulster welcome back long-serving winger Craig Gilroy into the starting XV. Gilroy is joined in the back line by Jacob Stockdale, who also signed a new deal last week keeping him with the province till 2025.

Stockdale scored a trademark chip and chase try against Welsh opposition in Cardiff and will be hoping to continue that form this week. Mike Lowry keeps his place at full-back.

Dan McFarland has opted for mixture of experience and youth on his bench with a five-three split.

The experienced pairing of hooker John Andrew and prop Andy Warwick, who both secured their futures with Ulster until 2025, and Jeffery Toomaga Allen provide front row options for Dan McFarland.

Kieran Treadwell and Nick Timoney are the other forward options for the match, with Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, who is on point to mark his 50th cap with Ulster, and Ethan McIlroy providing the back options at McFarland’s disposal.

Ulster: Mike Lowry, Craig Gilroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (C), Sam Carter, David McCann, Marcus Rea, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: John Andrew, Andy Warwick, Jeffery Toomaga Allen, Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, Ethan McIlroy.