Ulster vs Munster: John Cooney returns as fly-half Jack Murphy set for Ulster debut in URC game
A fit John Cooney has returned for Friday’s Ulster United Rugby Championship game against Munster, while academy scrum-half Jack Murphy could make his debut as a substitute.
Head coach Richie Murphy’s son, Ireland under-20 international Murphy, joins Ulster Academy from Leinster earlier this year.
The 20-year-old has started all five of Ireland’s Under-20 Six Nations games this year.
Scrum-half Cooney, who missed the Ulster Investec Champions League defeats to Toulouse and Bordeaux, has been recalled to partner Aidan Morgan at centre-half.
There are four changes up front. Andrew Warwick replaces Eric O’Sullivan at loose-back prop, with Alan O’Connor replacing injured captain Ian in the second row Iain Henderson, while James McNabney and Marcus Rea have been recalled to the back row.
Zach Ward remains on the left wing after making his debut in last week’s loss to Bordeaux.
As well as Henderson, Ulster are also without Cormac Izuchukwu, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson, Stuart Moore and Jacob Stockdale.
Munster made six changes from the side that lost to Castells in Europe last weekend, Sean Daly, Paddy Patterson, John Ryan, Tom Ahern, Jack O’Door Noho and Gavin Coombs were both recalled.
Ireland forwards Peter O’Mahony and Tadhg Beirne did not feature in the match for Munster, who, like Ulster, finished in the URC this season A record of 3 wins and 4 losses.
Ulster: Michael Lowery; Warner Kirk, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Zach Ward; Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole; Alan O’Connor (captain), Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Marcus Ray, David McCann.
Alternatives: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Marty Ray, Dave Shanahan, Jack Murphy, Rory Telfer.
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Sean Daly; Jack Crowley, Paddy Patterson; John Ryan, Neil Scannell, Stephen Archer; Tom Ahern, Finnen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue (Captain), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombs.
Alternatives: Egan Clark, Dave Kilcoyne, Ollie Jagger, Evan O’Connell, Alex Kendren, Ethan Coughlan, Rory Scannell, Boo Ryan Gleason.
