United Rugby Championship: Ulster make six changes for Connacht URC match

Cormac Isochukwu has been included in the Ulster starting XI for the first time since October as the Irish province made six changes to the starting XV that took to the field for Defeated 24-20 By Leinster in Saturday’s inter-provincial match against Connacht in Galway (17:30 GMT).

The second row has overcome injury and illness and this week committed his future to Ulster by agreeing a two-year contract extension.

Izuchukwu replaces Charlie Irvine in the second row for the Dexcom Stadium clash and Harry Sheridan, who will be making his 50th appearance for the county, will feature.

Sam Crean and Scott Wilson come in at loose and tight-head respectively, with Tom Stewart retaining his position at hooker.

At half-back, half-back Connor McKee makes his first inter-county start alongside fly-half Jack Murphy.

The two changes at the back saw Zak Ward start on the left flank and James Hume return to join Stuart McCloskey in forming a midfield partnership.

In-form winger Werner Cook starts on the right wing after scoring two tries against Leinster, while Jacob Stockdale is retained at full-back.

David McCann, Nick Timoney and Giorno Augustus make up the back row.

The backline substitutes are Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery and Jude Postlethwaite, while the attacking options off the bench are John Andrew, Angus Bell, Tom O’Toole, Joe Hopps and Bryn Ward.

Ulster enter the Christmas period in fifth place in the table having won four and lost two of their URC matches so far.

Richie Murphy’s side will complete a hat-trick of Irish inter-provincial matches when they host Munster in Belfast on January 2.

Connacht: Gilbert. Ryan, Forde, Aki, Tracy; Carty, B Murphy. Buckley, Heffernan, Pelham; Joyce, O’Connor. J. Murphy, Prendergast, Janssen.

Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Duggan, Barrett, Murray, O’Brien, Devine, Ioane, Gavin.

Ulster: Stockdale. Cook, Hume, McCloskey, Z. Ward; Crane, Stewart, Wilson; Sheridan, Isochukwu; McCann, Timoney, Augustus.

Replacements: Andrew, Bell, O’Toole, Hobbs, B. Ward, Doak, Flannery, Postlethwaite.